Microsurgical Anatomy and Approaches to the Cerebral Central Core.

OBJECTIVE: Through a cadaveric study, we divided the cerebral central core (CCC) into different areas and have proposed a corresponding neurosurgical approach for each sector. As a secondary objective, we analyzed the cortical and subcortical microsurgical anatomy of the CCC. The CCC includes the insula, extreme capsule, claustrum, external capsule, lenticular nucleus, internal capsule, caudate nucleus, and thalamus. METHODS: Twelve adult human brain hemispheres and one cadaveric head specimen were dissected and studied at the Laboratory of Neuroanatomic Microsurgical of the University of Buenos Aires. Nine cases of CCC neurosurgical pathologies were included in the present study and analyzed. Digital drawings were created of the approaches proposed for each sector of the CCC showing the most relevant surgical details. Photographs of each dissection and measurements obtained were taken. RESULTS: We divided the CCC into a medial, intermediate, and lateral sector, with specific subdivisions for the lateral and medial sectors. The lateral projection of the foramen of Monro was found deep to the third short gyri of the insula with the following distances: anterior insular limen margin, 23.95 mm; posterior insular limen margin, 22.92 mm; superior limiting sulcus, 14.99 mm, and inferior limiting sulcus, 13.76 mm. We have proposed the following approaches: an ipsilateral transcallosal approach, a contralateral transcallosal approach, a choroidal transfissure approach, a trans-splenial approach, transparietal access entering the intraparietal sulcus, and trans-sylvian approach. The preoperative imaging studies should be analyzed using our method to select the most accurate and safe approach. CONCLUSIONS: We have provided a description of the limits and anatomy of the CCC using brain dissection, an analysis of operated cases, and useful measurements for the neurosurgeon.

Anatomia Microquirúrgica y Abordajes al Central Core Cerebral / Microsurgical Anatomy and Approaches to the Central Core Cerebral

Objetivos: A través del estudio cadavérico dividir al central core cerebral (CCC) en diferentes áreas y proponer para cada sector el abordaje neuroquirurgico correspondiente. Como objetivo secundario analizaremos la anatomía neuroquirúrgico cortical y subcortical del CCC. Introducción : El CCC es descripto como un bloque que descansa sobre el tronco del encéfalo. Incluye la ínsula, capsula extrema, claustro, capsula externa, núcleo lenticular, capsula interna, núcleo caudado y el tálamo. Material y Métodos: Se estudiaron 12 hemisferios cerebrales humanos adultos y una cabeza en el ­LaNeMic- de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, analizamos 9 casos de patologías neuroquirúrgicas del CCC y dibujos digitales de los abordajes propuestos para cada sector del CCC. Se tomaron fotografías de cada disección y las mediciones obtenidas con calibre digital. Resultados: Dividimos al CCC en un sector medial, intermedio y lateral; con subdivisiones específicas para el lateral y medial. La proyección lateral del foramen de Monro se encontró en el tercer giro corto de la ínsula con las distancias: MILA: 23,95 mm; MILP: 22,92 mm; SLS: 14,99 mm y SLI: 13,76 mm. Proponemos los siguientes abordajes: abordaje transcalloso homolateral, abordaje transcalloso contralateral, abordaje trans-fisura coroidea, abordaje trans-esplenial, acceso trans-parietal ingresando al surco intraparietal y abordaje trans-silviano. Discusión: Se deben analizar los estudios preoperatorios del paciente, comprendiendo las lesiones según la ubicación y de ese modo seleccionar el abordaje más preciso y seguro. Conclusiones: Se provee a través de este trabajo una descripción de los límites y anatomía del CCC, empleando disecciones cerebrales, análisis de casos operados y de medidas útiles para el neurocirujano.

Objectives: Through the cadaveric study, we divide the cerebral central core (CCC) in different areas and propose the corresponding neurosurgical approach for each sector. As a secondary objective, we will analyze the cortical and subcortical microsurgical anatomy of the CCC. Introduction: The CCC is described as a block that rests on the trunk of the brain. It includes the insula, extreme capsule, claustro, external capsule, lenticular nucleus, internal capsule, caudate nucleusand thalamus. Material and Methods: We studied 12 adult human brain hemispheres and one head in the -LaNeMic- of the University of Buenos Aires, analyzed 9 cases of CCC neurosurgical pathologies and digital drawings of the approaches proposed for each sector of the CCC. Photographs of each dissection and measurements obtained with digital caliber were taken. Results: We divide the CCC into a medial, intermediate and lateral sector; with specific subdivisions for the lateral and medial. The lateral projection of the foramen of Monro was found in the third short gyri of the insula with the distances: MILA: 23.95mm; MILP: 22.92mm; SLS: 14.99mm and SLI: 13.76mm. We propose the following approaches: ipsilateral transcallosal approach, contralateral transcallosal approach, choroidal trans-fissure approach, trans-splennial approach, trans-parietal access entering the intraparietal sulcus, and trans-silvian approach. Discussion: The preoperative studies of the patient should be analyzed, understanding the lesions according to the location and in this way selecting the most accurate and safe approach. Conclusions: A description of the limits and anatomy of the CCC is provided through this work, using brain dissections, analysis of operated cases and useful measurements for the neurosurgeon.