Biomedical subjects

H T Wen

Publications and source records attributed to H T Wen.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

The pretemporal transcavernous approach to the interpeduncular and prepontine cisterns: microsurgical anatomy and technique application.

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate in a stepwise fashion the microsurgical anatomy of the transcavernous approach to the interpeduncular and prepontine cisterns and to discuss our initial results with 15 basilar tip aneurysms managed through that approach. METHODS: Using 10 embalmed cadaveric heads perfused with colored silicon, we performed bilateral stepwise dissections of the transcavernous approach via an orbitozygomatic pretemporal craniotomy. Measurements of the exposure of the basilar artery obtained along the dorsum sellae and upper clivus were taken. Our clinical data were derived from a series of 15 patients with large basilar tip aneurysms treated surgically via the transcavernous approach between 1997 and 1999. Indications for surgery were based on the size of the aneurysm (all were large) and its position in relation to the dorsum sellae (eight were more than 5 mm below the level of the dorsum sellae). RESULTS: Good exposure of the neurovascular structures of the interpeduncular and prepontine cisterns (namely, the basilar artery) was obtained in all cases as compared with other well-established approaches to the area. All patients in our surgical series did well except that all incurred an expected third nerve palsy, caused by surgical manipulation, which resolved over the course of 2 weeks to 3 months. CONCLUSION: Although technically difficult, the transcavernous approach provides better exposure of the interpeduncular and prepontine cisterns relative to that afforded by other, more conventional approaches. The satisfactory results obtained in our preliminary series of patients greatly support the use of this approach for complex basilar tip aneurysms.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

PubMed2000

Persistent trigeminal artery: a unique anatomic specimen--analysis and therapeutic implications.

OBJECTIVE: Persistent primitive carotid-basilar artery anastomoses are uncommon, and are usually seen on an angiogram or discovered at autopsy. The most frequent type of anastomosis is the persistent trigeminal artery. METHODS: A single case of a medial variation of the persistent trigeminal artery, as seen in a well-preserved human adult anatomic specimen injected with red latex, is presented, and the anatomy of this uncommon anastomosis is discussed. RESULTS: This specimen is unique in its clear preservation of the artery, which arises from the medial portion of the right intracavernous carotid artery and gives rise to two branches, the inferior hypophyseal artery and the dorsal meningeal artery to the clivus. CONCLUSION: A new variation of the persistent trigeminal artery is described, which is important to support the possibility that more than one variety of carotid-basilar anastomosis exists in this region.

Basilar Artery↗

PubMed2000

Trajectory of the hypoglossal nerve in the hypoglossal canal: significance for the transcondylar approach.

A microanatomical study of the hypoglossal canal and its surrounding area was carried out using dry skulls and cadaveric heads to determine the course of the hypoglossal nerve in the hypoglossal canal, especially the significance for the transcondylar approach. The hypoglossal nerve enters the superomedial part of the hypoglossal canal as two bundles, which then change course abruptly to an anterosuperior direction, and unite as one trunk before exiting the canal. The hypoglossal nerve has an oblique course in the canal rather than being located in the center, and exits through the inferolateral part of the canal. A venous plexus surrounds the entire length of the nerve bundles in the canal. The present results suggest that during drilling the occipital condyle toward the hypoglossal canal from behind, the surgeon does not need to be overly concerned even if some bleeding occurs from the posterolateral edge of the hypoglossal canal.

Cadaver↗

PubMed1999

Microsurgical anatomy of the temporal lobe: part 1: mesial temporal lobe anatomy and its vascular relationships as applied to amygdalohippocampectomy.

OBJECTIVE: We review the anatomy of the mesial temporal lobe region, establishing the relationships among the intraventricular, extraventricular, and surrounding vascular structures and their angiographic characterization. We also demonstrate the clinical application of these anatomic landmarks in an anatomic temporal lobectomy plus amygdalohippocampectomy. METHODS: Fifty-two adult cadaveric hemispheres and 12 adult cadaveric heads were studied, using a magnification ranging from 3x to 40x, after perfusion of the arteries and veins with colored latex. RESULTS: The intraventricular elements are the hippocampus, fimbria, amygdala, and choroidal fissure; the extraventricular elements are the uncus and parahippocampal and dentate gyri. The uncus has an anterior segment, an apex, and a posterior segment that has an inferior and a posteromedial surface; the uncus is related medially to cisternal elements and laterally to intraventricular elements. The anterior segment is related to the proximal sylvian fissure, internal carotid artery, proximal M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery, proximal cisternal anterior choroidal artery, and amygdala. The apex is related to the oculomotor nerve, uncal recess, and amygdala; the posteromedial surface is related to the P2A segment of the posterior cerebral artery inferiorly, to the distal cisternal anterior choroidal artery superiorly, and to the head of the hippocampus and amygdala intraventricularly. The choroidal fissure is located between the thalamus and fimbria; it begins at the inferior choroidal point behind the head of the hippocampus and constitutes the medial wall of the posterior two-thirds of the temporal horn. CONCLUSION: Not only is the knowledge of these relations useful to angiographically characterize the mesial temporal region, but it has also proven to be of extreme value during microsurgeries involving this region.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Transchoroidal approach to the third ventricle: an anatomic study of the choroidal fissure and its clinical application.

OBJECTIVE: We review the anatomic features of the lateral ventricle, the foramen of Monro, the third ventricle, and the choroidal fissure, and we describe the transchoroidal approach to the third ventricle. This approach consists of opening the taenia fornicis of the choroidal fissure in the body of the lateral ventricle and approaching the third ventricle between the two internal cerebral veins. This route allows further posterior enlargement of the foramen of Monro without sacrificing any neural structures. When necessary, the anterior septal vein can be sacrificed. METHODS: Twenty adult cadaveric brains and four adult cadaveric heads were studied, using a magnification ranging from 3 times to 40 times, after perfusion of the arteries and veins with colored latex. RESULTS: The choroidal fissure is a natural cleft between the thalamus and the fornix, and it is identified by following the choroid plexus in the lateral ventricle. The choroid plexus in the body of the lateral ventricle originates from the tela choroidea of the roof of the third ventricle and is apparently attached to the fornix by the taenia fornicis and to the thalamus by the taenia choroidea. The taenia is actually the ependyma that covers the internal wall of the ventricular cavity and the choroid plexus. CONCLUSION: An understanding of the choroidal fissure is fundamental for use of the transchoroidal approach. Unlike transforaminal, subchoroidal, subforniceal, and interforniceal approaches to the third ventricle, which sacrifice some neural or vascular structures, the transchoroidal approach follows a natural route, and certainly it is one of the options to be considered when entry into the third ventricle is required.

Cadaver↗

PubMed1997

Microsurgical anatomy of the transcondylar, supracondylar, and paracondylar extensions of the far-lateral approach.

Despite a large number of reports of the use of the far-lateral approach, some of the basic detail that is important in safely completing this exposure has not been defined or remains poorly understood. The basic far-lateral exposure provides access for the following approaches: 1) the transcondylar approach directed through the occipital condyle or the adjoining portions of the occipital and atlantal condyles; 2) the supracondylar approach directed through the area above the occipital condyle; and 3) the paracondylar exposure directed through the area lateral to the occipital condyle. The transcondylar approach provides access to the lower clivus and premedullary area. The supracondylar approach provides access to the region of, and medial to, the hypoglossal canal and jugular tubercle. The paracondylar approach, which includes drilling of the jugular process of the occipital bone in the area lateral to the occipital condyle, provides access to the posterior portion of the jugular foramen and to the mastoid on the lateral side of the jugular foramen. In this study, the anatomy important to completing the far-lateral approach and these modifications was examined in 12 cadaveric specimens. In the standard posterior and posterolateral approaches, an understanding of the individual suboccipital muscles is not essential. However, these muscles provide important landmarks for the far-lateral approach and its modifications. Other important considerations include the relationship of the occipital condyle to the foramen magnum, hypoglossal canal, jugular tubercle, the jugular process of the occipital bone, the mastoid, and the facial canal. These and other relationships important to completing these exposures were examined in this study.

Adult↗