Quantitative Anatomic Study of the Minipterional Craniotomy in the Paraclinoid Region: Benefits of Extradural Anterior Clinoidectomy

摘要

BACKGROUND: Extradural anterior clinoidectomy (eAC) via the minipterional craniotomy (MPT) approach (MPT+ eAC) has been recently introduced to the neurosurgical armamentarium to improve access to anterior and middle fossa skull base structures using a minimally invasive approach. However, the effect of extradural clinoidectomy on surgical exposure with the minipterional approach has not been evaluated. Moreover, the effect of eAC on surgical maneuverability has not been established for either traditional pterional or minipterional craniotomy. We sought to illustrate the microsurgical anatomy of the MPT+ eAC and to evaluate the effect of eAC on surgical exposure and maneuverability.