Abstract:

Objective To study the important anatomic landmarks for expanded endonasal approach (EEA), thereby providing morphologic and anatomic ground for planning operative strategy of EEA.  Methods  Ten wet cadaveric heads were used to mimic the standard EEA procedure, and several important anatomic landmarks for this approach were then observed and measured under neuroendoscope.  Result  (1)The normal anatomic locations of anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries were affirmed. (2)The anatomic constitution of opticocoratid recess (OCR) was investigated and verified. (3) Anatomical subregions of the cavernous sinus were re-observed using neuroendoscope, and the anatomical segmentation for abducent nerve were conducted through a nasal endoscopic perspective.  Conclusion It is significant to have profound knowledge of these important anatomic landmarks for improving safety of neuroendoscopic EEA.    

Key words: Endoscopic endonasal , skull base surgery, Neuroendoscope, Anatomic landmarks, expanded endonasal approach