Transpterygoid

BACKGROUND: The repair of lateral sphenoid sinus cerebrospinal fluid leaks is routinely accomplished through the use of the endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) with a transpterygoidal extension. This approach can incur sinus morbidity, damage to the vidian, palatine and trigeminal nerves, and the contents of the pterygopalatine fossa, particularly if the encephalocele is lateral to the foramen rotundum (FR) and V2. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of the lateral transorbital approach (LTOA) as an alternative approach for repair of lateral sphenoid sinus encephaloceles that avoids the potential morbidity of EEA...

Transpatial skull base lesions involving the infratemporal fossa (ITF) are challenging due to the complex neurovascular structures of the region. Open approaches have traditionally been utilized to access these spaces. We present a 55-year-old woman presented with a mesenchymal mass involving the left ITF and masticator space. A combined endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach was performed followed by an endoscopic transoral-transmandibular corridor to access and resect the tumor. The post-operative course was unremarkable with no recurrence during her follow-up...

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate anatomic relationships pertinent to the endoscopic multiport approach to the infratemporal fossa (ITF). Discuss advantages and limitations of each individual approach. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric study. METHODS: Endoscopic and endoscopic-assisted endonasal transpterygoid, sublabial transmaxillary, endoscopic transorbital, and endoscopic transoral approaches to accessing the ITF were completed in five silicone-injected fresh cadaveric specimens (10 sides) with the assistance of 0, 30, and 450 rods-lens endoscopes...

Objective: To examine the feasibility and surgical approach of removing type D trigeminal schwannoma through nasal cavity and nasal sinus under endoscope. Methods: Eleven patients with trigeminal schwannoma who were treated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from December 2014 to August 2021 were analyzed retrospectively in this study. There were 7 males and 4 females, aged (47.5±13.5) years (range: 12 to 64 years). The neoplasm involved the pterygopalatine fossa, infratemporal fossa, ethmoidal sinus, sphenoid sinus, cavernous sinus, and middle cranial fossa...

BACKGROUND: The parapharyngeal internal carotid artery (pICA) could be surgically exposed through the transnasal and transoral corridors. However, their potential degree of exposure has not been established sufficiently. This study aims to elucidate the maximal exposure of the pICA via the transnasal and transoral corridors. METHODS: An endonasal transpterygoid nasopharyngectomy for exposure of the pICA was performed on eight cadaveric specimens (16 sides), while a transoral approach for exposure of the pICA was performed on six additional specimens (12 sides)...

Hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) invading the cavernous sinus (CS) are extremely rare invasive tumors that have a great propensity for local recurrence. To date, only eight cases have been reported in the literature. Owing to the abundant vascular supply of HPCs, intracavernous bleeding and important blood vessels and nerves passing through the CS, it is very difficult and challenging for neurosurgeons to completely resect HPCs. Here, we report two cases of HPCs invading the CS and introduce their clinical manifestations, imaging findings, surgical approaches and histopathological features in detail...

BACKGROUND: Caudal pneumatization of the pterygoid process may impact endonasal exposure of the lateral recess of sphenoid sinus (LRSS). OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the implications of a pneumatized pterygoid process for an endonasal transpterygoid approach to the LRSS and to define strategies regarding the preservation or sacrifice of the vidian nerve. METHODS: Dissection of the LRSS (11 sides) was performed on 6 cadaveric specimens, preselected for the radiographic presence of an LRSS...

OBJECTIVE: Carotid sympathetic plexus (CSP) schwannomas are rare brain tumors located in a complex site around the cavernous sinus (CS) and carotid canal in the petrous bone. This study describes three cases of CSP schwannomas that underwent surgical removal of the tumor through an endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach. METHOD: Between 2016 and 2021, three cases of CSP schwannomas were treated using an endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach. Preoperative tumor size, preoperative and postoperative symptoms, internal carotid artery (ICA) displacement, extent of tumor resection, intraoperative findings showing tumor origin, and surgical complications were evaluated in all patients...

Petroclival meningiomas are surgically challenging tumors because of their deep location and involvement of critical neurovascular structures. A variety of approaches have been described, and selection of approach should be tailored to the location of the tumor relative to neurovascular structures and surgical experience. The authors present two patients with petroclival meningiomas with varying relationships to cranial nerves and skull base anatomy who underwent endoscopic endonasal and open petrosectomy approaches, to demonstrate the complementarity of the endonasal transpetrous and open transpetrosal corridors...

Objective: The development of skull base surgery in the past decade has been influenced by advances in visualization techniques; recently, due to such improvements, 3D endoscopes have been widely used. Herein, we address its effect for transnasal endoscopic skull base surgery. Methods: A total of 63 patients who under endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) with 3-D endoscope were retrospectively reviewed, including pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas, meningiomas, Rathke's cleft cysts, and chordomas...

Objectives  Endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) for petrosectomies are evolving to reduce perioperative brain injuries and complications. Surgical terminology, techniques, landmarks, advantages, and limitations of these approaches remain ill defined. We quantitatively analyzed the anatomical relationships and differences between EEA exposures for medial, inferior, and inferomedial petrosectomies. Design  This study presents anatomical dissection and quantitative analysis. Setting  Cadaveric heads were used for dissection...

Background: Extradural transcranial release of the meningo-orbital band occupying the lateral part of the superior orbital fissure is used to approach the orbital apex and middle cranial fossa. The authors tested the feasibility of the release of the meningo-orbital band via an endonasal transmaxillary approach. Materials and Methods: Five injected cadaveric heads were assessed for dimensions of superior orbital fissure by computerized tomography. An endonasal transsphenoid transpterygoid approach was done to the superior orbital fissure and annulus of Zinn medially, down to the maxillary nerve...

Epidermoid cysts are rare lesions which typically grow slowly. For this reason, these lesions are usually discovered when they are already very large. The parasellar location is no exception to this rule and may involve the cavernous sinus or the Meckel cave. We present a 34-year-old female patient without past medical history who was admitted in our tertiary referral center for episodes of diplopia in the right lateral gaze and right trigeminal dysesthesias. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large right parasellar mass with mixed intensity signal on the T1 and T2 sequences, without contrast enhancement and a typical hypersignal intensity on diffusion-weighted sequences evoking an epidermoid cyst...

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal schwannomas (TSs) with solitary extracranial location are rare, and surgical excision is challenging. In recent years, the endoscopic endonasal transmaxillary transpterygoid approach (EETPA) has been advocated as an effective strategy for TSs in the infratemporal fossa (ITF). METHOD: We describe the steps of the EETPA combined with the sublabial transmaxillary approach for the surgical excision of a giant mandibular schwannoma of the ITF. Indications, advantages, and approach-specific complications are also discussed...

BACKGROUND: Meckel's cave dermoid cyst is an extremely rare and a technically challenging lesion. The objective of the study is to show that endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has recently emerged as a better alternative to transcranial approach for this formidable tumor, owing to minimal retraction-related morbidity. METHOD: A 52-year-old male presented with numbness over the right side of the face and temporal area for the last 3 years. On examination, there was decreased sensation to touch, pain, and temperature over the right V1, V2, and V3 areas with an absent right corneal reflex...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Objectives  The vidian nerve provides parasympathetic innervation to the nasal cavity and the lacrimal gland. Previous anatomic studies have primarily focused on preservation or severance of the vidian nerve proximal to the pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG). This study aimed to assess its neural fibers within the pterygopalatine fossa after synapsing at the PPG, and to explore potential clinical implications for endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery. Methods  An endonasal transpterygoid approach was performed on eight cadaveric specimens (16 sides)...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

OBJECTIVE: An anteromedial corridor via an expanded endoscopic endonasal approach to the Meckel cave (MC) was described more than a decade ago. However, few clinical series or endoscopic endonasal technical contributions exist concerning this type of approach to this complex region. METHODS: We present a detailed description of the surgical technique for this approach reviewing the original technique and adding clarifying conceptual notions. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study selecting patients who underwent endonasal endoscopic surgery for lesions exclusively limited to the MC in the past 6 years...

Chordoma, a rare, locally aggressive tumor can affect the central skull base, usually centered at the midline. Complete surgical resection remains mainstay of therapy in case of primary as well as recurrent tumors. Owing to their secluded location, surgical resection of skull base chordomas remains a challenge, even though the recent advancement of endoscopic endonasal approaches has had a significant positive impact on the management of these patients. Endoscopic endonasal approaches have been shown to significantly reduce surgical morbidity when compared to traditional open approaches; however, the classical endoscopic transclival midline approach fails to sufficiently expose parts of many skull base chordomas...