Abstract:

Objective　To evaluate the application of virtual reality technology in neurosurgical anatomy we compared the virtual three-dimensional (3D) microanatomy of the temporal bridging veins as part of the resection of tumors across the petrosal crest in 25 patients against the actual microanatomy of the temporal bridging veins on 20 cadaveric head sets.　Methods　The experiment was carried out using two groups of data: a virtual group (VR Group) made up by 25 clinical cases and a physical body group (PB Group) made up by 20 cadaveric head sets. In the physical body group, the temporal bridging veins on the cadaveric heads were examined under the microscope for number of their tributaries and measurement of the distance between emptying point on sinus of Labbé vein and sigmoid transverse sinus. In the virtual group, the dissection of the temporal bridging veins was simulated on Dextroscope. We compared the anatomical features of temporal bridging veins in two groups. Virtual reality technology was used in the planning of 25 cases for which the anatomy of temporal bridging veins was studied carefully by the neurosurgical team.　Results　Four basic configurations of veins were found: venous lakes running in the tentorium before emptying into the sinuses, accounting for 17.5%; candelabra of veins uniting to form one large drainage, accounting for 40%; single independent draining veins, accounting for 20% and multiple independent draining veins , accounting for 22.5% in physical body group. venous lake, accounting for 16%, candelabra of veins uniting to form one large drainage, accounting for 42%;  single independent draining veins, accounting for 18% and multiple independent draining veins, accounting for 24% in virtual group. 213 tributaries and 87 terminations of temporal bridging veins were found in cadaveric heads, whereas 167 tributaries and 81 terminations of temporal bridging veins were found in the virtual group. The distributions of anatomical terminations of temporal bridging veins were divided into three groups: transverse area 52.87%, tentorium area 24.13%  and petrosal area 23.0% in physical body group, whereas 54.35%,23.91% and 21.74% in virtual group, respectively. The proportion of fore-placed type veins of Labbé is 7.69% in physical body group and 8.33% in virtual group (P >0.05). The anatomical features of Labbé veins found during the operation of the 25 patients with tumors extended from middle fossa to posterior fossa and were consistent with what was seen in presurgical planning.　Conclusions　Virtual reality technology can accurately simulate the anatomical feature of the temporal bridging veins which facilitates the planning of individual operations in neurosurgery.

Key words: Virtual reality technology, Microsurgical anatomy, Temporal bridging veins