A microanatomical map of the structures hidden in the middle fossa based on the facial nerve hiatus: Measurements and their variability

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships/variations between the facial nerve hiatus (FNH) and middle cranial fossa neuro‐vascular structures. Twenty CT‐scanned middle cranial fossae of fresh adult cadavers were used; the greater superficial petrosal nerves, and critical neuro‐vascular structures were identified. Using the FNH as a reference point, a neuronavigation system was used to measure the distance between each structure and the FNH. The coefficient of variation (CV) was used to quantify the degree of variation among each distance. The mean distances and standard deviations between the various landmarks and the FNH, and the associated CV were analyzed. Furthermore, a microanatomical map of the structures hidden in the middle fossa based on the greater superficial petrosal nerve was generated. The most reliable relationships of the FNH were with the internal auditory canal (CV = 14.59), and with the vertical portion of the intrapetrous internal carotid artery (CV = 15.54). Our data demonstrate that the FNH can be used as anatomical landmark to plot the position of several hidden neurovascular structures when performing a middle‐fossa skull base approach. However, the pattern and the variation of these structures had to be recognized. Clin. Anat. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

颈椎间孔韧带的解剖特点及其临床意义

神经根型颈椎病是临床常见疾病,可引起上肢感觉或运动障碍,其病因可能是神经根受到各种直接机械压迫[1]。神经根自硬膜囊发出后向外下方走行,经椎间孔出椎管,椎间孔内软组织增生、肥厚、粘连等病理改变均可使经过该处的神经根受到压迫,导致出现相应的临床症状如放射性上肢疼痛、麻木或无力等。想要更清楚地了解神经根卡压的机制,需要对颈椎间孔区域进行更加深入的解剖学研究。掌握颈椎间孔韧带的解剖特点有助于提高神经根型颈椎病的诊断和治疗水平,在该区域手术操作时尽可能地减少医源性损伤。有关胸腰椎(T1~5)的椎间孔韧带研究证明其韧带起到限制神经根移位并防止拉伤的作用[2~4]。然而,目前关于颈椎间孔韧带的研究尚少。本文结合国内外文献资料,对颈椎间孔韧带的相关知识作一综述。     

Le syndrome de platydéoxie-orthopnée : à propos d’un cas

We report the case of an 80-year-old woman with symptomatic postural hypoxaemia caused by a right-to-left shunt through a patent foramen ovale. The hypoxaemia was enhanced by the supine position and disappeared in upright position. Potential mechanisms underlying postural variations of the shunt seemed to be similar to those describe in platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. Patient became asymptomatic after shunt resolution.     

Kyphoscoliosis and ascending aortic aneurysm: a new case of intermittent right-to-left shunting through a patent foramen oval

Platypnaea-orthodeoxia syndrome is usually due to an atrial right-to-left shunt through a patent foramen ovale. We report a case of foramen ovale reopened an unusual circumstance. A 83-year-old patient presenting back pains since a few days was admitted in emergency for dyspnaea and refractory hypoxia. The only way to control her back pains was to stay seated in a kyphoscoliosis position. The imagery explorations pointed out an ascending aortic aneurysm, which compressed the right atrium and distorted the position of the atrial septum relative to caval inflow, when the patient was in her painless position, explaining this gravity-related refractory hypoxia.     

三维CT引导下经皮射频热凝术治疗三叉神经痛

目的评价三维CT引导下经皮卵圆孔穿刺用于治疗三叉神经痛的有效性和安全性。方法40例中、重度三叉神经痛患者,在Hartel前入路穿刺过程中,穿刺针抵达卵圆孔、触及骨质或穿刺深度达6～7cm时停止穿刺,行CT扫描和三维重建,在重建影像的指导下穿刺。结果所有穿刺均成功,疼痛缓解程度和有效率随时间增加,近期治疗有效率为95.00%,无严重并发症。结论在三维CT引导下行经皮卵圆孔穿刺,结合电刺激,可有效提高穿刺和定位效果。     

The foramen spinosum: a landmark in middle fossa surgery

The foramen spinosum is an easily identifiable landmark in microsurgery of the middle cranial fossa, and knowledge of the variations in its relationship to the surrounding neurovascular structures is important when operating in this area. We studied the anatomical relationship of the foramen spinosum to the foramen ovale, the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve, the greater superficial petrosal nerve, and the petrous part of the internal carotid artery in 12 cadaver heads. We also tried to define an external landmark for early identification of the location of the foramen spinosum in ten dry skulls. We found considerable variations in the anatomy around the foramen spinosum. This knowledge may improve the identification and preservation of the neurovascular structures when using approaches to the middle cranial fossa.     

Patent foramen ovale percutaneous closure: indications, techniques and results

A patent foramen ovale is almost physiological (15% of the population) but can be associated with some pathological situations in which its closure can be considered. The only medical indication currently accepted is a right-left shunt without elevation of the right pulmonary pressure, whose most famous pattern is the rare platypnea-orthodeoxie syndrome. PFO may be responsible for diving decompression accidents. Before taking the decision of closing a PFO, each situation must be discussed on a case to case basis. In spite of the possible link between some kinds of migraine and PFO, according to current knowledge, there is no evidence of the efficiency of PFO closure in this situation. The secondary prevention of a cryptogenic ischaemic cerebrovascular attack on a young person with a PFO associated to a membranous septum aneurysm, is the most commonly considered indication, but we lack valid data for this indication. The PFO closing procedure is well codified and its success rate is close to 100%, with rare major complications. Residual permeability within the prosthesis ensuring the closure of the PFO decreases gradually to get under 15% after six months. The clinical result is often dramatic when treating right-left shunts. As far as the secondary prevention of cryptogenic ischaemic cerebro vascular attacks in young people is concerned, there might be some clinical benefit, but we are waiting for the results of ongoing randomized and scheduled studies.     

Foramen magnum meningiomas: experiences in 114 patients at a single institute over 15 years

BackgroundAlthough there has been great development in the anatomical understanding and operative techniques for skull base tumors, controversy still exists regarding the optimal surgical strategies for the FMMs. We report clinical and radiologic features as well as the surgical findings and outcome for patients with FMM treated at our institution over the last 15 years.MethodsWe reviewed 114 consecutive cases of FMM operated between May 1993 and June 2008 in the neurosurgery department at Beijing Tiantan Hospital.ResultsThere were 68 female and 46 male patients (mean age, 52.3 years; range, 28-76 years). Foramen magnum meningiomas were classified as anterior (80 cases), anterolateral (24 cases), and posterolateral (10 cases). Mean duration of symptoms was 11.7 months (ranging from 1.5 to 240 months). Cervico-occipital pain (80.7%) and headache and dizziness (42.1%) were the most common presenting symptoms. The preoperative KPS was 72.5 ± 8.3. Mean maximum diameter of the tumors on MRI was 3.35 cm (range, 1.5-4.7 cm). Posterior midline approach was performed in 10 cases, far-lateral retrocondylar approach in 97 cases, and extended far-lateral approach in 7 cases. Gross total resection was achieved in 86.0% of patients and subtotal resection in 14.0%. Surgical mortality was 1.8%. Follow-up data were available for 93 patients, with a mean follow-up of 90.3 months (range, 1-180 months), of which 59 (63.4%) lived a normal life (KPS, 80-100).ConclusionOur experience suggests that most anterior and anterolateral FMMs can be completely resected by a far-lateral retrocondylar approach without resection of the occipital condyle. Complete resection of the tumor should be attempted at the first operation. Postoperative management of FMM is important for the prognosis.     

Double Foramen Transversarium in Cervical Vertebra an Osteological Study

50 sets of typical dried cervical vertebrae of human were studied for no. of foramen transversarium present on each transverse process of vertebra. So double foramen transversarium were detected unilaterally or bilaterally in 16 vertebrae out of 200 typical (C3-C6) cervical vertebrae. The variation of foramina appears to follow a pattern at various vertebral level.The course of vertebral artery may be distorted under such conditions. The normal factor responsible for such anomalies of foramen transversarium is developmental or related to the variation of course of vertebral artery.