Review of complications due to foramen ovale puncture

• Published in: Journal of clinical neuroscience Vol. 14; no. 6; pp. 563 - 568
• Main Authors: Kaplan, Metin, Erol, Fatih Serhat, Ozveren, Mehmet Faik, Topsakal, Cahide, Sam, Bulent, Tekdemir, Ibrahim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2007
• Subjects: Anatomy, Regional; Catheterization - adverse effects; Catheterization - methods; Complications; Cranial Fossa, Middle - anatomy & histology; Cranial Fossa, Middle - surgery; Cranial nerves; Foramen ovale; Humans; Intraoperative Complications - etiology; Intraoperative Complications - prevention & control; Mandibular Nerve - anatomy & histology; Mandibular Nerve - surgery; Neurology; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; Rhizotomy - methods; Sphenoid Bone - anatomy & histology; Sphenoid Bone - surgery; Trigeminal Ganglion - anatomy & histology; Trigeminal Ganglion - surgery; Trigeminal Nerve - anatomy & histology; Trigeminal Nerve - surgery; Trigeminal Neuralgia - complications; Trigeminal Neuralgia - surgery; Trigeminal rhizotomy; Trigeminal rhizotomy; Foramen ovale; Complications; Cranial nerves
• ISSN: 0967-5868; 1532-2653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2005.11.043

Abstract We aim to evaluate the mechanisms responsible for complications during trigeminal rhizotomy via foramen ovale puncture. Ten dry skulls and 10 skull-base specimens were investigated in the present study. In cadaveric skull-base specimens, the anatomical relationships between the foramen ovale, mandibular nerve and Gasserian ganglion and the surrounding neurovascular structures were investigated intradurally. The distance between the foramen ovale and Gasserian ganglion was measured as 6 mm. The abducent nerve, adjacent to the anterior tail of the petrolingual ligament, was observed passing along the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus. Advancement of the catheter more than 10 mm from the foramen ovale is likely to damage the internal carotid artery and the abducent nerve at the medial side of the petrolingual ligament. Thermocoagulation of the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus may damage the cranial nerves by heat, giving rise to pareses.