Background: The use of minimally invasive approaches in the management of cerebral aneurysms
continues to evolve and a purely endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for cerebral
aneurysm has its own advantages. The purpose of the present study is to perform a
detailed anatomical dissection study to test the usefulness of the extended EEAs for
selected anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm. Materials and Methods: Nine human cadaveric heads were used for this study, and all dissections were performed
through the endonasal corridor. Endoscopic endonasal surgical dissections were carried
out, and surgery was simulated in all specimens to reach the ACoA region. The ACoA
complex, its neural and osseous relations, degree of vascular exposure, and the ability
to perform clip placement were observed and analyzed. Results: The transplanum and transtuberculum approaches exposed the A1 and A2 segments of
the anterior cerebral artery and the ACoA in all specimens. This route allowed clip
ligation of the distal A1 branches, ACoA and proximal A2 branches to the level of
the pericallosal segment. Proximal and distal control was most readily achievable
at the level of the ACoA complex. Conclusion: The present cadaveric study on nine specimens with bilateral dissection has demonstrated
that the endonasal transplanum transtuberculum approach to the ACoA region provides
excellent visualization of the vasculature. When selected prudently, such lesions
may be favorable targets for an extended endoscopic endonasal (EEA) in comparison
to transcranial approaches that may provide a suboptimal exposure.
Key-words:
Anterior communicating artery - cadaveric study - cerebral aneurysm - endoscopic endonasal
approach