Morphometric analysis of the medial opticocarotid recess and its anatomical relations relevant to the transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal approaches.

BACKGROUND: The medial opticocarotid recess (MOCR) is located in the posterior wall of the sphenoid sinus, medial to the junction of the optic canal (OC) and the carotid prominence (CP). There is controversy in the literature in relation to the presence of the MOCR and its constancy, which is relevant when approaching the skull base through an endoscopic route. METHODS: The morphometric relations of the MOCR with the surrounding structures were studied in 18 cadaveric specimens after endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA). RESULTS: The distance between both MOCR was 11.06 ± 1.14 mm; the distance between the MOCR and the lateral opticocarotid (LOCR) recess was 5.56 ± 0.85 mm; the distance between the MOCR and the suprasellar recess was 3.72 ± 0.49 mm; the angle between the MOCR plane and the OC 13.32 ± 2.30°; the angle between the MOCR plane and the CP 13.50 ± 2.68° and; the angle between the OC and the CP 26.81 ± 4.26°. All measurements showed low variability, with low standard deviation and interquartile range. No relations were found between any of the measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The MOCR may be used as a reference point for precise location of structures during EEA. Objective measurements may be especially useful in cases with distorted sphenoid bone anatomy.

Extracellular matrix composition of the cricopharyngeus muscle.

The aim of this study was to analyze the presence and distribution of total collagen, type I and type III collagen, elastic fibers, fibronectin, and versican in the endomysium of cricopharyngeus muscles from adults of various ages. The study was a cross-sectional analysis of human cricopharyngeus muscles. Twenty-seven muscles obtained from autopsies of men and women ranging in age from 28 to 92 years were analyzed with the Picrosirius method, oxidized Weigert resorcin-fuchsin, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis. Collagen had the highest density among the analyzed components. Elastic fibers surrounded each muscle cell; they were aligned longitudinally by their long axis and associated with traversing fibers, thereby forming a fiber network with embedded muscle cells. The fibronectin and versican contents varied widely among the specimens. We found no statistically significant differences between the proportion of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and factors such as gender and race. We conclude that the higher proportion of type I and type III collagen is compatible with the cricopharyngeus muscle's sphincteric behavior, and the arrangement of the elastic fibers may also contribute to the muscle's elasticity. We found no statistically significant correlation between the ECM components and age.

The McConnell's Capsular Arteries and Their Relevance in Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Sellar Region.

BACKGROUND: The McConnell's capsular arteries (MCCA) were first described in 1953. They consist of medial branches of the cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) and are divided in anterior and inferior capsular arteries. OBJECTIVE: To highlight the anatomy of the MCCA and its importance in the surgical treatment of tuberculum sellae and planum sphenoidale tumors through an endoscopic endonasal approach. METHODS: Ten cadaveric specimens fixed in formalin and perfused with colored silicone were dissected. Standard endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach to the sellar region was performed. The MCCA were identified and still images were captured for further analysis. We report 1 case to illustrate the importance of the MCCA. RESULTS: The anterior capsular artery, which originates from the anteromedial aspect of the anterior loop of the cavernous ICA and reaches the suprasellar space, was present in 70% of the specimens with no difference between the right and left sides. The anterior capsular artery plays an important role in the vascularization of tuberculum sellae meningiomas. The inferior capsular artery originates from the inferomedial aspect of the cavernous ICA, at its horizontal portion, and reaches the floor and anterior wall of the sella where it anastomoses to branches of the inferior hypophyseal artery. CONCLUSION: The MCCA are key structures when performing an endoscopic endonasal approach for tumors of the sellar and suprasellar regions.

Endoscopic endonasal technique: treatment of paranasal and anterior skull base malignancies.

UNLABELLED: Technical and technological innovations have spearheaded the expansion of the indications for the use of endoscopic endonasal approaches to extirpate malignancies of the sinonasal tract and adjacent skull base. OBJECTIVE: Critical review of the available literature regarding the use of endoscopic endonasal approaches including indications, limitations, surgical techniques, oncologic outcome, and quality of life. METHOD: Various endoscopic endonasal techniques are reviewed according to the origin and local extension of sinonasal and skull base malignancies including anterior cranial base, nasopharynx, clivus, and infratemporal fossa. In addition, the available literature is reviewed to assess outcomes. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic endonasal approaches are an integral part of the armamentarium for the treatment of the sinonasal tract malignancies and skull base. In properly selected cases, it affords similar oncologic outcomes with lower morbidity than traditional open approaches. Nonetheless, these minimal access approaches should be considered a complement to well-established open approaches, which are still necessary in most advanced tumors.

Tecnica endoscopica endonasal: tratamento de lesoes malignas paranasais e da base do cranio anterior / Endoscopic endonasal technique: treatment of paranasal and anterior skull base malignancies

Inovações técnicas e tecnológicas têm liderado a expansão das indicações de uso das abordagens endoscópicas endonasais para a extirpação de lesões malignas do trato nasossinusal e base do crânio. OBJETIVO: Analisar criticamente a literatura disponível sobre o uso de abordagens endoscópicas endonasais incluindo indicações, limitações, técnicas cirúrgicas, desfecho oncológico e qualidade de vida. MÉTODO: Várias técnicas endoscópicas endonasais foram analisadas segundo a origem e extensão local das lesões malignas nasossinusais e da base do crânio, incluindo a porção anterior da base do crânio, nasofaringe, clívus e fossa infratemporal. A literatura disponível foi também avaliada em função dos desfechos. CONCLUSÃO: As abordagens endoscópicas endonasais são parte integrante do arsenal terapêutico desenvolvido para abordar neoplasias malignas do trato nasossinusais e da base do crânio. Em casos adequadamente selecionados, esta abordagem produz resultados oncológicos semelhantes com menor morbidade do que as abordagens abertas tradicionais. Não obstante, abordagens minimamente invasivas devem ser consideradas como complemento às abordagens abertas estabelecidas, ainda necessárias na maioria dos tumores mais avançados. .

Technical and technological innovations have spearheaded the expansion of the indications for the use of endoscopic endonasal approaches to extirpate malignancies of the sinonasal tract and adjacent skull base. OBJECTIVE: Critical review of the available literature regarding the use of endoscopic endonasal approaches including indications, limitations, surgical techniques, oncologic outcome, and quality of life. METHOD: Various endoscopic endonasal techniques are reviewed according to the origin and local extension of sinonasal and skull base malignancies including anterior cranial base, nasopharynx, clivus, and infratemporal fossa. In addition, the available literature is reviewed to assess outcomes. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic endonasal approaches are an integral part of the armamentarium for the treatment of the sinonasal tract malignancies and skull base. In properly selected cases, it affords similar oncologic outcomes with lower morbidity than traditional open approaches. Nonetheless, these minimal access approaches should be considered a complement to well-established open approaches, which are still necessary in most advanced tumors. .