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Head & Neck Oct 2021Lesions arising from the upper parapharyngeal space (UPPS) often involved the jugular foramen region (JFR), occasionally extending into the posterior cranial fossa. This...
Lesions arising from the upper parapharyngeal space (UPPS) often involved the jugular foramen region (JFR), occasionally extending into the posterior cranial fossa. This study aims to investigate the surgical anatomy of the JFR and UPPS from the perspective of an expanded endoscopic approach (EEA), tracing the lower cranial nerves from their extracranial foramina to the UPPS. Six cadaveric specimens (12 sides) underwent a transpterygoid EEA to expose the JFR and UPPS. Distances from the medial pterygoid plate (MPP) to the internal carotid artery (ICA), hypoglossal canal (HC), and jugular tubercle (JT) were measured on anonymized Computed tomography angiography images previously obtained from 30 patients with pulsatile tinnitus. Full access to the JFR, and its medial, superior, and anterior aspects, could be adequately achieved via an EEA. Upon exiting the jugular foramen, the glossopharyngeal nerve courses posterior to the ICA, traveling inferiorly into the UPPS between ICA and IJV. The vagus nerve is in close proximity to the hypoglossal nerve traveling posterior to the ICA. The accessory nerve courses lateral to the vagus nerve, running posterior to the IJV. The minimal distances from the MPP to ICA, HC, and JT were 2.52 ± 0.34, 2.86 ± 0.36, and 3.18 ± 0.33 cm, respectively. This anatomical study strongly suggests the feasibility of using an EEA to access to the medial, superior, and anterior aspects of the jugular foramen and the adjacent UPPS.
Topics: Cadaver; Cranial Nerves; Humans; Nose; Parapharyngeal Space; Sphenoid Bone
PubMed: 34165854
DOI: 10.1002/hed.26781 -
Operative Neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) Apr 2023Schwannoma that arises in the jugular foramen (JF) represents an important challenge for neurosurgeons for its precise location, extension, and neurovascular...
BACKGROUND
Schwannoma that arises in the jugular foramen (JF) represents an important challenge for neurosurgeons for its precise location, extension, and neurovascular relationship. Nowadays, different managements are proposed. In this study, we present our experience in the treatment of extracranial JF schwannomas (JFss) with the extreme lateral juxtacondylar approach (ELJA).
OBJECTIVE
To present our experience in the treatment of extracranial JF schwannomas (JFss) with the ELJA.
METHODS
Between January 2013 and January 2017, 12 patients with extracranial JFs underwent surgery by ELJA. All lesions were type C of the Samii classification. Indocyanine green videoangiography was used to evaluate the relationship between the internal jugular vein and the tumor and to control the presence of spasm in the vertebral artery.
RESULTS
A complete exeresis was achieved in 9 patients while in 3 patients, it was subtotal. The complete regression of symptoms was obtained in 7 patients with a total resection. The remaining cases experienced a persistence of symptoms.
CONCLUSION
The success of this surgery is achieved through a management that starts from the patient's position. We promote an accurate evaluation of JFs through the Samii classification: Type C tumors allow the use of ELJA that reduces surgical complications. Furthermore, we recommend the use of indocyanine green videoangiography to preserve the vessels and prevent vasospasm.
Topics: Humans; Jugular Foramina; Indocyanine Green; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Neurilemmoma; Microsurgery
PubMed: 36701746
DOI: 10.1227/ons.0000000000000535 -
Frontiers in Surgery 2020The jugular foramen remains one of the most complex regions of the human body. Approaching lesions in this area requires extensive anatomical knowledge and experience,... (Review)
Review
The jugular foramen remains one of the most complex regions of the human body. Approaching lesions in this area requires extensive anatomical knowledge and experience, due to the many critical neurovascular structures passing through or around the jugular foramen. Here, we present a concise review of the microsurgical anatomy of the jugular foramen in relation to the craniocervical approach.
PubMed: 32500078
DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2020.00027 -
Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part... Dec 2019Glomus tumors, also called paragangliomas, are challenging lesions, demanding accurate knowledge of complex anatomy and pertinent approaches. We present the case of a...
Glomus tumors, also called paragangliomas, are challenging lesions, demanding accurate knowledge of complex anatomy and pertinent approaches. We present the case of a 39-year-old male presenting with headache, vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and hoarseness. Neurological assessment showed facial paralysis House-Brackmann IV and lower cranial nerves deficits. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated two large lesions, suggestive of a glomus jugulare, and carotid body paragangliomas. Considering worsening of the symptoms and the important mass effect of both lesions over the neurovascular structures, microsurgical excision was offered, after preoperative tumor embolization. We preferred to approach both lesions in the same operation, starting by the cervical tumor. Initially there was not an easily identifiable dissection plane between the tumor and the carotid artery, but it was achieved after performing a subadventitial dissection, being possible to resect the entire lesion. The jugular foramen lesion was approached through a postauricular transtemporal approach, skeletonizing the sigmoid sinus, jugular bulb, and facial nerve, following a complete mastoidectomy. The tumor, extending to the intradural compartment, middle ear, internal auditory canal, petrous internal carotid artery, and internal jugular vein was completely removed. Postoperative MRI demonstrated complete resection of both lesions, and pathology confirmed to be paragangliomas. In the immediate postoperative period, the facial paralysis evolved to House-Brackmann grade VI, improving to grade III during follow-up. The patient underwent a vocal cord medialization in order to improve voice quality and swallowing. These are challenging lesions and extensive laboratory training is mandatory to be familiarized with the regional anatomy and its various surgical approaches. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/gA_ckwFq_9c .
PubMed: 31750072
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1695055 -
Journal of Neuroimaging : Official... May 2022Differentiation of meningiomas, paragangliomas, and schwannomas in the cerebellopontine angle and jugular foramen remains challenging when conventional MRI findings...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Differentiation of meningiomas, paragangliomas, and schwannomas in the cerebellopontine angle and jugular foramen remains challenging when conventional MRI findings are inconclusive. This study aimed to assess the clinical utility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) findings for tumor type differentiation and to identify the most significant diagnostic parameters.
METHODS
This retrospective study included 57 patients with pathologically confirmed meningiomas, paragangliomas, and schwannomas, diagnosed between January 2018 and August 2021. DWI and DCE-MRI were obtained before surgery. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and DCE-MRI parameters were calculated. The Kruskal-Wallis H test and post hoc test with Bonferroni correction and receiver operating characteristic curve were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
There were 20 meningiomas (6 men; 62.3 ± 17.8 years), 23 paragangliomas (3 men; 51.6 ± 17.0 years), and 14 schwannomas (7 men; 37.7 ± 20.0 years). V showed a significant difference in each comparison (p < .001, <.001, and <.001, respectively), V showed significant differences both in meningiomas and paragangliomas, and paragangliomas and schwannomas (p < .001 and .017, respectively), and K showed significant differences both in meningiomas and paragangliomas, and meningiomas and schwannomas (p = .0018 and <.001, respectively), though there was no significant difference in ADC. V diagnostic performance values for each pair of tumors were area under the curve of 0.89-1.00, with cutoff values of 0.14-0.27.
CONCLUSION
DCE-MRI can provide promising parameters to differentiate meningiomas, paragangliomas, and schwannomas in the cerebellopontine angle and jugular foramen.
Topics: Cerebellopontine Angle; Contrast Media; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Female; Humans; Jugular Foramina; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Neurilemmoma; Paraganglioma; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34936708
DOI: 10.1111/jon.12959 -
World Neurosurgery Apr 2023The far lateral approach provides wide surgical access to the lower third of the clivus, pontomedullary junction, and anterolateral foramen magnum and rarely requires...
Posterolateral Routes to the Skull Base, Craniocervical Junction, and Jugular Foramen-The Far Lateral Transcondylar Approach and Combined Transpetrosal Transcervical Approaches.
The far lateral approach provides wide surgical access to the lower third of the clivus, pontomedullary junction, and anterolateral foramen magnum and rarely requires craniovertebral fusion. The most common indications for this approach are posterior inferior cerebellar artery and vertebral arteryaneurysms, brainstem cavernous malformations, and tumors anterior to the lower pons and medulla, including meningiomas of the anterior foramen magnum, schwannomas of the lower cranial nerves, and intramedullary tumors at the craniocervical junction. We provide a stepwise description of how we perform the far lateral approach, as well as how to combine the far lateral approach with other skull base approaches, including the subtemporal transtentorial approach, for lesions involving the upper clivus; the posterior transpetrosal approach, for lesions involving the cerebellopontine angle and/or petroclival region; and/or lateral cervical approaches, for lesions involving the jugular foramen or carotid sheath regions.
Topics: Humans; Jugular Foramina; Skull Base; Cranial Fossa, Posterior; Foramen Magnum; Meningeal Neoplasms
PubMed: 37012729
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.11.053 -
The Indian Journal of Radiology &... Mar 2022There are many types of neoplasms in or around the foramen of Luschka (FL), and definitive diagnosis in some cases requires knowledge of imaging findings. The uncommon... (Review)
Review
There are many types of neoplasms in or around the foramen of Luschka (FL), and definitive diagnosis in some cases requires knowledge of imaging findings. The uncommon and challenging neoplasms with FL involvement considered in this study are exophytic brainstem glioma, primary glioblastoma of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA), primary anaplastic ependymoma of the CPA, choroid plexus papilloma of the FL, solitary FL choroid plexus metastasis, extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the jugular foramen, paraganglioma of the jugular foramen, exostosis of the jugular foramen, psammomatous meningioma in the lateral cerebellar medullary cistern, epidermoid tumor of the fourth ventricle, and a hypoglossal schwannoma. These neoplasms may have overlapping clinical and imaging features, but some have relatively distinct imaging features. Knowledge of the key clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features of these unusual lesions with FL involvement is important for radiologists to improve diagnostic ability and to assist the referring physician in the appropriate management of the patient.
PubMed: 35722640
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1743113 -
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA Jan 2023During retrosigmoid craniotomy, the mastoid emissary vein (MEV) can be a source of considerable bleeding during the operation, especially when the larger diameter MEV or...
PURPOSE
During retrosigmoid craniotomy, the mastoid emissary vein (MEV) can be a source of considerable bleeding during the operation, especially when the larger diameter MEV or sigmoid sinus is torn. In this study, we evaluated the relevant structure of the MEV for their anatomy and applied the data in surgery to summarize their clinical significance.
METHODS
The posterior craniocervical regions of 15 silicon-injected Chinese human cadaver specimens were dissected to expose the MEV and adjacent structures. Fifty-one patients who were scheduled to undergo retrosigmoid craniotomy were selected. All patients underwent preoperative routine CT of the head. The relevant data were collected on cadaveric anatomy and CT. Eventually, all patients underwent retrosigmoid craniotomy and the MEV was observed during the operation.
RESULTS
In cadaver specimens, the prevalence of the MEV was 90.0%. It originated from the middle and lower parts of the posterior wall of the sigmoid sinus and extended in the posterior direction in the mastoid process, usually having 1-2 external openings (86.7%) and only 1 internal opening. The intraosseous courses of the MEV were classified as straight and curved. The straight type accounted for 57.9%, and the curved type for 42.1%. The mean diameter of the MEV was 1.84 ± 0.85 mm, and the straight length of the MEV inside the mastoid process was 11.93 ± 3.58 mm. In 16.7% and 6.7% of all cadaver specimens, the MEV diameter was greater than 2.5 and 4 mm, respectively. In 51 patients (bilateral), routine head CT scan showed the MEV in 49.0% of the patients, and the MEV diameter was greater than 2.5 and 4 mm, respectively, in 17.6% (18/102) and 3.9% (4/102) of the cases. During surgery (unilateral) in the 51 patients, 48 had the MEV and 3 had no MEV. None of the patients had sigmoid sinus tears or massive bleeding.
CONCLUSION
In the process of retrosigmoid craniotomy, detailed anatomical knowledge of the MEV, well-planned CT scan, and meticulous microsurgical techniques are key for successful operation, which can reduce the occurrence of complications.
Topics: Humans; Mastoid; Skull; Jugular Veins; Cranial Sinuses; Cadaver
PubMed: 36520166
DOI: 10.1007/s00276-022-03060-0 -
World Neurosurgery Sep 2020The aim of this study was to define the types, prevalences, and diameters of dural septations (DSs) on the inner surface of the jugular foramen (JF) and to describe the...
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to define the types, prevalences, and diameters of dural septations (DSs) on the inner surface of the jugular foramen (JF) and to describe the distances between the JF, the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve [CN] IX), vagus nerve (CN X), and accessory nerve (CN XI), the internal acoustic meatus, and nearby surgical landmarks on cadaveric heads.
METHODS
Seventeen adult (9 men and 8 women) formalin-fixed cadaveric heads were used to analyze the types and prevalence of DS bilaterally. Diameters and distances between the DS and the adjacent CNs (CN IX-XI) were measured by digital microcaliper. The multiple t test (SPSS version 25) was used to analyze the comparison between both sides via diameters, numbers, distance, length, and thickness of DS.
RESULTS
The most frequent type of DS was type I (62.5%, right; 56.3%, left), followed by type II (18.8%, right; 25%, left), type III (12.5%, right; 6.3%, left), and type IV (6.3%, right; 12.5%, left). The mean diameter of the septum was 0.6-1 mm, and the mean length of the dural septa was 4.01 mm (right) and (3.83 mm) left. The difference in the length and thickness of the DS between the genders was statistically significant on both sides (P < 0.05). The DS-CN X and DS-JF distances of women were greater than those of men on the right side (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The significant differences between dural septum types on the 2 sides of the body may indicate asymmetric location or a variant emerging site of CNs in the same individual.
Topics: Adult; Cadaver; Dura Mater; Female; Humans; Jugular Foramina; Male; Spinal Canal
PubMed: 32522647
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.05.271 -
Neuro-Chirurgie Nov 2019Patients with syndromic faciocraniosynostosis due to the mutation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 2 gene present premature fusion of the coronal sutures... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Patients with syndromic faciocraniosynostosis due to the mutation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 2 gene present premature fusion of the coronal sutures and of the cranial base synchondrosis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation disorders and cerebellar tonsil prolapse are frequent findings in faciocraniosynostosis.
OBJECTIVE
We reviewed the medical literature on the pathophysiological mechanisms of CSF disorders such as hydrocephalus and of cerebellar tonsil prolapse in FGFR2-related faciocraniosynostosis.
DISCUSSION
Different pathophysiological theories have been proposed, but none elucidated all the symptoms present in Apert, Crouzon and Pfeiffer syndromes. The first theory that addressed CSF circulation disruption was the constrictive theory (cephalocranial disproportion): cerebellum and brain stem are constricted by the small volume of the posterior fossa. The second theory proposed venous hyperpressure due to jugular foramens stenosis. The most recent theory proposed a pressure differential between CSF in the posterior fossa and in the vertebral canal, due to foramen magnum stenosis.
Topics: Acrocephalosyndactylia; Arnold-Chiari Malformation; Craniosynostoses; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2
PubMed: 31525395
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuchi.2019.09.001