Quantitative Analysis of Variable Extent of Anterior Clinoidectomy With Intradural and Extradural Approaches: 3-Dimensional Analysis and Cadaver Dissection

• Published in: Neurosurgery Vol. 11 Suppl 2; pp. 147 - 161
• Main Authors: Tripathi, Manjul, Chandra Deo, Rama, Damodaran, Natesan, Suri, Ashish, Srivastav, Vinkle, Baby, Britty, Singh, Ramandeep, Kumar, Subodh, Kalra, Prem, Banerjee, Subhashis, Prasad, Sanjiva, Paul, Kolin, Roy, Tara Sankar, Lalwani, Sanjeev, Sharma, Bhawani Shanker
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Copyright by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons 01.03.2015
• Subjects: Cadaver; Carotid Artery, Internal - surgery; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Skull Base - anatomy & histology; Skull Base - surgery; Sphenoid Bone - anatomy & histology; Sphenoid Bone - surgery
• ISSN: 0148-396X; 1524-4040
• DOI: 10.1227/NEU.0000000000000599

BACKGROUND:Drilling of the anterior clinoid process (ACP) is an integral component of surgical approaches for central and paracentral skull base lesions. The technique to drill ACP has evolved from pure intradural to extradural and combined techniques. OBJECTIVE:To describe the computerized morphometric evaluation of exposure of optic nerve and internal carotid artery with proposed tailored intradural (IDAC) and complete extradural (EDAC) anterior clinoidectomy. METHODS:We describe a morphometric subdivision of ACP into 4 quadrangles and 1 triangle on the basis of fixed bony landmarks. Computerized volumetric analysis with 3-dimensional laser scanning of dry-drilled bones for respective tailored IDAC and EDAC was performed. Both approaches were compared for the area and length of the optic nerve and internal carotid artery. Five cadaver heads were dissected on alternate sides with intradural and extradural techniques to evaluate exposure, surgical freedom, and angulation of approach. RESULTS:Complete anterior clinoidectomy provides a 2.5-times larger area and 2.7-times larger volume of ACP. Complete clinoidectomy deroofed the optic nerve to an equal extent as by proposed the partial tailored clinoidectomy approach. Tailored IDAC exposes only the distal dural ring, whereas complete EDAC exposes both the proximal and distal dural rings with complete exposure of the carotid cave. CONCLUSION:Quantitative comparative evaluation provides details of exposure and surgical ease with both techniques. We promote hybrid/EDAC technique for vascular pathologies because of better anatomic orientation. Extradural clinoidectomy is the preferred technique for midline cranial neoplasia. An awareness of different variations of clinoidectomy can prevent dependency on any particular approach and facilitate flexibility. ABBREVIATIONS:ACP, anterior clinoid processEDAC, extradural anterior clinoidectomyICA, internal carotid arteryIDAC, intradural anterior clinoidectomyMOB, meningo-orbital bandON, optic nerveSOF, superior orbital fissure