Paramedian supracerebellar transtentorial approach for a temporomesial glioma

Acta Neurochirurgica (2021) 163:1311–1316

Classical approaches to the temporomesial region (TMR) include transtemporal, transylvian, or subtemporal. The supracerebellar infratentorial, initially developed to access dorsolateral cavernomas, has of late shown its versatility to access areas around the central core. The TMR is one such area that can be accessed through this approach with the addition of a tentorial incision.

Method The paramedian supracerebellar transtentorial approach (PSCTA) is described along with its advantages and limits compared to other approaches to treat TMR gliomas.

Conclusion The PSCTA offers a basal panoramic view of the TMR without the need of retraction, cortical incision, and white matter transgression.

The paramedian supracerebellar transtentorial approach to the posterior fusiform gyrus

the-paramedian-supracerebellar-transtentorial-approach-to-the-posterior-fusiform-gyrus

Acta Neurochir (2016) 158:2149–2154

The posterior fusiform gyrus lies in a surgically challenging region. Several approaches have been described to access this anatomical area. The paramedian supracerebellar transtentorial (SCTT) approach benefits from minimal disruption of normal neurovascular tissue. The aim of this study was to demonstrate its application to access the posterior fusiform gyrus.

Methods Three brains and six cadaveric heads were examined. A stepwise dissection of the SCTT approach to the posterior fusiform gyrus was performed. Local cortical anatomy was studied. The operability score was applied for comparative analysis on surgical anatomy.

Results The major posterior landmark used to identify the fusiform gyrus with respect to the medial occipitotemporal gyrus was the collateral sulcus, which commonly bifurcated at its caudal extent. Compared with other surgical approaches addressed to access the region, SCTT demonstrated the best operability in terms of maneuverability arc. Favorable tentorial anatomy is the only limiting factor.

Conclusions The supracerebellar transtentorial approach is able to provide access to the posterior fusiform gyrus via a minimally disruptive, anatomic, microsurgical corridor.

Supracerebellar transtentorial approach—resection of the tentorium instead of an opening—to provide broad exposure of the mediobasal temporal lobe: anatomical aspects and surgical applications

J Neurosurg 116:764–772, 2012.  http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2011.12.JNS111256

The aim of this study was to describe the surgical anatomy of the mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe and the supracerebellar transtentorial (SCTT) approach performed not with an opening, but with the resection of the tentorium, as an alternative route for the neurosurgical management of vascular and tumoral lesions arising from this region.

Methods. Cadaveric specimens were used to illustrate the surgical anatomy of the mediobasal region of the temporal lobe. Demographic aspects, characteristics of lesions, clinical presentation, surgical results, follow-up findings, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed for patients referred to receive the SCTT approach with tentorial resection.

Results. Ten patients (83%) were female and 2 (17%) were male. Their ages ranged from 6 to 59 years (mean 34.5 ± 15.8 years). All lesions (3 posterior cerebral artery aneurysms, 3 arteriovenous malformations, 3 cavernous malformations, and 3 tumors) were completely excluded or resected. After a mean follow-up period of 143 months (range 10–240 months), the mean postoperative Glasgow Outcome Scale score was 4.9.

Conclusions. Knowledge of the surgical anatomy provides improvement for microsurgical approaches. The evolution from a small opening to a resection of the tentorium absolutely changed the exposure of the mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe. The SCTT approach with tentorial resection is an excellent alternative route to the posterior part of mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe, and it was enough to achieve the best neurosurgical management of tumoral and vascular lesions located in this area.