Anatomy of the optic radiations from the white matter fiber dissection perspective: A literature review applied to practical anatomical dissection.

Background: Knowledge of the anatomical course of the optic radiations and its relationship to medial temporal lobe structures is of great relevance in preoperative planning for surgery involving the temporal lobe to prevent damage that may result in postsurgical visual field deficits. Methods: In this anatomical study, we reviewed the literature on this topic and applied the information to practical anatomical dissection. The three-dimensional relationship between the course of the optic radiations and structures accessed in the main microneurosurgical approaches to the medial temporal lobe was examined by applying Klingler's white matter fiber dissection technique to five formalin-fixed human brains. The dissections were performed with an operating microscope at magnifications of ×3-×40. High-resolution images were acquired during dissection for identification of the anatomical structures, focusing on the characterization of the course of the optic radiations in relation to medial temporal lobe structures. Results: In all five dissected brains, we could expose and clearly define the relationship between the optic radiations and medial temporal lobe structures, improving our understanding of these complex structures. Conclusion: The knowledge gained by studying these relationships will help neurosurgeons to develop risk-adjusted approaches to prevent damage to the optic radiations in the medial temporal region, which may result in a disabling visual field deficit.

Anatomical aspects and technical note of a modified retropharyngeal approach and reconstruction of the anterior occipitocervical junction.

Surgery to expose the anterior occiptocervical junction (OCJ) is exacting, and optimal approaches are debatable. The close proximity of vital structures and difficult surgical access present a unique challenge to treat lesions in this area. Routine access to the upper anterior cervical spine remains limited. The authors present a modified retropharyngeal approach and instrumentation in order to resect an exceptionally rare atypical rhabdoid teratoid tumor involving the craniovertebral junction. The technical aspects of this approach in anatomical perspectives are discussed in this article.

Petroclival Meningiomas: Factors Determining the Choice of Approach.

Objectives To review a surgical series of petroclival meningiomas and the factors considered in the choice of approach. Design Retrospective review. Setting The study was conducted in a university hospital in southern Brazil. Participants Twenty-two patients with petroclival meningioma originating from the upper two-thirds of the clivus medial to the fifth cranial nerve. Main Outcome Measures Gross-total resection, mortality, major morbidity, new cranial nerve deficits and tumor progression or recurrence. Results Retrosigmoid approach was used in tumors <3 cm and in those at or below the internal auditory meatus. Posterior petrosectomy was performed for tumors extending into the middle fossa. Gross-total resection was performed in 11 patients (50%). The mean follow-up time was 32 months (6-75 months). There were four cases of tumor progression or recurrence, which were treated with radiosurgery. Conclusions Resection of petroclival meningiomas remains challenging. In most cases, the retrosigmoid approach was sufficient, without affecting the degree of tumor resection. Petrosal approaches were reserved for patients with tumor extension into the middle fossa.

Anterior Skull Base Tumors: The Role of Transfacial Approaches in the Endoscopic Era.

The basis of craniofacial tumor surgery is complete surgical extirpation, preferably en bloc or with free borders. Craniofacial techniques are the gold standard and primary strategies in the treatment of anterior skull base tumors. In the last decade, the reports favoring results of endoscopic techniques have increased. One could conclude that the classical transfacial approaches might become useless, but, in fact, there is little research comparing these techniques.In this article, the authors present their experience with combined craniofacial resection of anterior craniofacial skull base tumors in 9 consecutive patients between January 2013 and July 2015. This article aims to review some of the traditional transfacial approaches, illustrating them with this series of surgical patients. Benefits and drawbacks of these approaches are discussed.

Anatomia microcirúrgica e abordagens ao seio cavernoso: um estudo tridimensional estereoscópico com correlação clínico-radiológica / Microsurgical anatomy and approaches to the cavernous sinus: an stereoscopic 3-D study with clinical-radiological correlations

O seio cavernoso é uma das regiões mais complexas do corpo humano e pode ser acometido por diversas patologias. Atualmente,diversos tipos de tratamento podem ser usados para tratar doenças nesta região, porém o conhecimento anatômico ainda é fundamental para estabelecer o melhor manejo. Nosso objetivo é apresentar a anatomia microcirúrgica do seio cavernoso,as abordagens cirúrgicas (incluindo a abordagem endonasalendoscópica), a correlação radiológica desta anatomia,bem como uma série inicial de casos. As fotos são apresentadas pelo método convencional e anaglífico estereoscópico. São descritas as estruturas neuro vasculares do seio cavernoso bem como suas relações ósseas e durais, as paredes e os triângulos da base do crânio relacionados ao seio cavernoso. As abordagens crânio-órbito zigomática, transpetrosa, zigomática e endonasal endoscópica são apresentadas, sendo as estruturas anatômicas identificadas também nos exames de imagem. Casos ilustrativos ilustram esta anatomia.

The cavernous sinus is one of the most complex regions of thehuman body and can be affected by several diseases. Currently,several types of treatment can be used in the management ofdiseases in this region. The anatomical knowledge is essentialto establish the best management. Our goal is to present themicrosurgical anatomy of the cavernous sinus, its surgical approaches(including the endoscopic endonasal approach), thecorrelation of radiological anatomy, including an initial seriesof cases. The anatomic features are presented by the conventionaland stereoscopic anaglyphic method. The neurovascularstructures of the cavernous sinus and its dural and bony relationships,triangles and the walls of the skull base related toit are presented with. We discuss the cranio-orbital zygomatic,transpetrosal, zygomatic and endonasal endoscopic approaches;MRI studies also show the anatomical structures, includingillustrative cases.

Estudo anatômico da substância branca do cérebro: da técnica de Klingler à dissecção virtual por ressonância magnética (tratografia) / Brain white matter anatomical study: from the Klingler technique to virtual dissection with magnetic resonance (tractography)

A técnica de dissecção de fibras é um método clássico, utilizado por renomados anatomistas do passado, para a demonstração dos tratos e fascículos integrantes da substância branca do cérebro. Esta técnica, utilizada desde o século XVII, envolve a dissecção em camadas da substância branca cerebral para demonstrar passo a passo a organização anatômica interna do parênquima. A complexidade da preparação do cérebro e da dissecção das fibras fez com que esse método fosse negligenciado por décadas. Com a possibilidade contemporânea e inédita de se visualizar os feixes de substância branca do encéfalo in vivo pela ressonância magnética, os fundamentosanatômicos antigos obtidos com a clássica técnica de dissecção de fibras tornam-se, paradoxalmente, ainda mais relevantes e atuais. Este trabalho descreve as principais etapas da técnica de dissecção de fibras, aprimorada por Joseph Klingler e revitalizada na última década por M. G. Yasargil e Ügur Türe, como uma forma de entendimento da anatomia intrínseca tridimensional do encéfalo para o uso clínico. Este estudo também busca explorar as potencialidades dessa verdadeira “dissecção virtual” através da ressonância magnética(tratografia) em reproduzir e complementar o conhecimentoanatômico das fibras obtido pelo método clássico.

Maffucci's syndrome complicated by intracranial chondrosarcoma: two new illustrative cases.

Maffucci's syndrome is a rare congenital condition, sometimes misdiagnosed as Ollier's disease, characterized by multiple enchondromas combined with hemangiomas and phlebectasia. Coexisting primary malignancies have been described sporadically. We report two cases of Maffucci's syndrome associated with cranial base chondrosarcoma, emphasizing pathophysiological features and the challenging management of intracranial chondrosarcomas. To the best of our knowledge, only twelve similar cases have been reported in the literature.

Maffucci' s syndrome complicated by intracranial chondrosarcoma: two new illustrative cases

Maffucci's syndrome is a rare congenital condition, sometimes misdiagnosed as Ollier's disease, characterized by multiple enchondromas combined with hemangiomas and phlebectasia. Coexisting primary malignancies have been described sporadically. We report two cases of Maffucci's syndrome associated with cranial base chondrosarcoma, emphasizing pathophysiological features and the challenging management of intracranial chondrosarcomas. To the best of our knowledge, only twelve similar cases have been reported in the literature.

Síndrome de Maffucci é uma condição congênita rara, às vezes confundida com a doença de Ollier, caracterizada por encondromas múltiplos associados com hemangiomas e flebectasia. A concomitância com neoplasias primárias tem sido relatada esporadicamente. Nós relatamos dois casos de síndrome de Maffucci associada a condrossarcoma da base do crânio, enfatizando aspectos fisiopatológicos e o manejo desafiador dos condrossarcomas intracranianos. Em revisão da literatura, podemos encontrar o relato de apenas doze casos similares.

Hemorrhage in cerebral metastasis from angiosarcoma of the heart: case report

The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical and pathological features of metastatic angiosarcoma in the central nervous system. Only a few cases of cerebral metastasis from angiosarcoma of the heart have been recorded in the literature; particulary related to intracerebral hemorrhage. A case of secondary cerebral angiosarcoma of the heart in a 33 years old man is presented. The initial symptoms were headache, vomiting, lethargy and aphasia. There was a mass in the left temporal lobe with hemorrhage and edema on the computerized tomography (CT). After 24 hours the neurological status worsened and another CT scan showed rebleeding on the tumor area. He underwent an emergency craniotomy but died two days after. Considering the longer survival of sarcoma patients with new modalities of treatment, the incidence of brain metastasis may increase, demanding a bether preventive and more aggressive approach. Besides, due to the hemorrhagic nature of such lesions, we suggest the imediate surgery to prevent a fast and lethal evolution because rebleeding

Fístula carótido-cavernosa com epistaxe letal: relato de caso / Carotid-cavernous fistula with lethal epistaxis: case report

A fístula carótido-cavernosa é uma comunicaçäo patológica entre a artéria carótida interna e o seio cavernoso. Apresentamos o caso de um paciente de 32 anos de idade com fístula carótido-cavernosa devida a traumatismo crânio-encefálico. O tratamento preconizado é a embolizaçäo mas neste caso em especial houve falha devido às características próprias da fístula, e o paciente progrediu de maneira desfavorável evoluindo ao óbito por epistaxe incontrolável

Trombose séptica do seio cavernoso: relato de seis caso / Septic thrombosis of cavernous sinus: report of 6 cases

O seio cavernoso é freqüentemente afetado por trombose séptica. Os sítios primários de infecção são comumente a face, as órbitas, as tonsilas palatinas, o palato mole e os seios etmoidal e esfenoidal. A apresentação clínica típica inclui febre e edema periorbital seguido de cefaléia, ptose e paralisia de músculos oculares. O diagnóstico é eminentemente clínico e o prognóstico diretamente influenciado pela instalação de um tratamento precoce e adequado. Relatamos seis casos de trombose séptica do seio cavernoso decorrentes de sítios infecciosos diferentes e revisamos os principais aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos e terapêuticos.