• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.118-125
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• 2000

Objective : Trigeminal neurinomas are rare tumors that may locate in the middle fossa or posterior fossa and straddled both the middle and posterior fossa, according to their origin in the nerve complex. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical presentation, operative approaches employed and outcome in 15 patients who were treated surgically, with special emphasis on surgical approach. Method : Between 1994 and 1998, a total of fifteen patients were histopathologically identified as neurinomas originating from the trigeminal nerve complex at the tumor clinic in the neuroscience center of the our university. Results : The surgical approach to these tumors depends on their anatomical location and tumor size. Six patients had tumors confined to the middle fossa, five patients had tumors limited to the posterior fossa, and four patients both in middle and posterior fossa components of their tumors. Nine neurinomas were removed via the conventional approach(pterional, subtemporal, suboccipital) and six were excised using skull base approach(transzygomatic subtemporal, orbitozygomatic, transpetrosal). Total resection of the tumor was possible in 10 cases. Total resection of tumor was accomplished in 83% of patients following skull base approach compared with 56% of patients following conventional approach. The surgical outcome was excellent or good in 13 cases, fair in one and, poor in one. There was no operative death. In the immediate postoperative period, aggravation of preoperative facial hypesthesia and 6th cranial nerve palsy were common. Although, these deficits were generally transient, eight patients remained with some degree of trigeminal hypesthesia, two had facial weakness, one neurotrophic keratitis, one diplopia, and one mastication difficulty. Conclusion : Surgical approach to the trigeminal neurinoma depends on the tumor location and tumor size. Skull base approach provides more complete tumor excision without increased morbidity compared to conventional approach. Surgeons have to be meticulous in order to reduce postoperative complication.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.271-275
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• 2023

The abducens nerve (AN; cranial nerve VI) exits the brainstem at the inferior pontine sulcus, pierces the dura of the posterior cranial fossa, passes through the cavernous sinus in close contact to the internal carotid artery (ICA) and traverses the superior orbital fissure to reach the orbit to innervate the lateral rectus muscle. At its exit from the brainstem, the AN includes only axons from lower motor neurons in the abducens nucleus. However, as the AN crosses the ICA it receives a number of branches from the internal carotid sympathetic plexus. The arrangement, neurochemical profile and function of these sympathetic axons running along the AN remain unresolved. Herein, we use gross dissection and microscopic study of hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections and sections with tyrosine hydroxylase immunolabeling. Our results suggest the AN receives multiple bundles of unmyelinated axons that use norepinephrine as a neurotransmitter consistent with postganglionic sympathetic axons.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.351-361
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• 2021

Purpose: The clivus is a region in the anterior section of the occipital bone that is commonly imaged on large-volume cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). There have been several reports of incidental clivus variations and certain pathological entities that have been attributed to the variations. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these variations within the scope of dentistry. Materials and Methods: Medical databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched using a controlled vocabulary (clival anomalies, cone-beam CT, canalis basilaris medianus, fossa navicularis magna, clival variation). The search was limited to English language, humans, and studies published in the last 25 years. The articles were exported into RefWorks^® and duplicates were removed. The remaining articles were screened and reviewed for supporting information on variations of the clivus on CBCT imaging. Results: Canalis basilaris medianus and fossa navicularis magna were the most common anomalies noted. Many of these variations were asymptomatic, with most patients unaware of the anomaly. In certain cases, associated pathologies ranged from developmental (Tornwaldt cyst), to acquired (recurrent meningitis). While no distinct pathognomonic aspects were noted, there were unique patterns of radiographic diagnosis and treatment modalities. Most patients had a normal course of follow-up. Conclusion: Interpretation of CBCT volumes is a skill every dentist must possess. When reviewing large-volume CBCT scans, the clinician should be able to distinguish pathology from normal anatomic variations within the skull base. The majority of clivus variations are asymptomatic and will remain undetected unless incidentally noted on radiographic examinations.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.423-425
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• 1996

Tic convulsif is a syndrome restricted to paroxysmal dysfunction of the fifth and seventh cranial nerves. It occurs predominantly in women over the age of 50 years and is usually associated with an ectatic vertebrobasilar artery - less frequently an arteriovenous malformation or cholesteatoma - which compresses the trigeminal and facial nerve roots in the postetior fossa. In rare instances this syndrome may be caused by brain tumor. Because of the high incidence of posterior fossa lesions in painful tic convulsif, a complete neurological evaluation including computerised transaxial tomography should be performed in every case. We experienced a case of trigeminal neuralgia(mandibular division)and contralateral hemifacial spasm.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.342-349
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the clinical and anatomical importance of the relevant region from the perspective of surgical approaches by determining the morphometric analysis of the craniocervical junction and foramen magnum (FM) region and determining their distances from important anatomical points. This research was carried out with 59 skulls found at the Anatomy Laboratories of Erciyes and Ankara Medipol University. Metric measurements of FM and condyle, FM shape, condyle-fossa relationship, and pharyngeal tubercle (PT) were made in mm-based dry bone samples of unknown age and sex. The distance between the anterior notches and the FM was 87.01±4.35, the distance between the anterior notches and the PT was 77.70±4.24, the distance between the PT-sphenooccipital junction was 13.23±2.42, and the FM index was 81.86±7.47. The anteroposterior and transverse lengths of FM were determined as 33.80±2.99 and 27.72±2.30, respectively. The morphometric and morphological data available regarding the craniocervical junction showed significant differences between populations. Comprehensive knowledge of this topic will provide a better approach to treat Arnold Chiari Malformation, FM meningiomas, and other posterior cranial fossa lesions. Therefore, we believe that FM and craniocervical junction morphology will be a guide not only for anatomists, but also for radiologists, neurosurgeons, ENT surgeons, and orthopedists.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.184-189
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• 2005

Objective : Hemangioblastomas are highly vascular and benign neoplasm of the central nervous system[CNS]. They can often be found as multiple lesions, as is commonly observed in von Hippel-Lindau[VHL] disease. The aim of this study is to determine the proper management for multiple hemangioblastomas. Methods : Since 1990, 78cases of hemangioblastoma have been encountered. Among these, 9cases were multiple hemangioblastomas that were treated with surgical resection with or without radiosurgery. The medical, radiological, surgical and histological records were reviewed retrospectively and analyzed statistically. Results : Nine patients presented with multiple hemangioblastomas and were diagnosed as VHL disease. The mean follow-up duration was 75.7months [$6.6{\sim}159.2months$] after the first surgical treatment. Three patients were treated with surgical resection alone and six patients were treated by both surgical resection and radiosurgery. Twenty-one surgical procedures [13 surgical resections and 8 radiosurgery] were performed. One patient required ventriculoperitoneal shunt and a posterior fossa decompressive craniectomy because of post-radiation brain swelling. Another patient refused additional treatment for the newly developed lesions after the successful treatment of initial lesions. The other patient who presented with numerous lesions in the whole brain and spine underwent cranio-spinal irradiation. Remaining patients showed good results. Conclusion : The surgical outcomes for the patients with a single lesion of the CNS hemangioblastoma are favorable. However. the treatment of multiple hemangioblastoma is more difficult, and should be treated by surgical resection and radiosurgery with careful consideration.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.195-197
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• 2015

Artifacts can seriously degrade the quality of computed tomography (CT) images, sometimes to the point of making them diagnostically unusable. Here, we report an unusual CT artifact that could have resulted in the misdiagnosis of a hyperdense hemorrhagic lesion in a 55-year-old man. The author recommend that when hemorrhagic lesion in posterior fossa is suggested on CT, the physician should carefully consider all patient-related clinical data prior to considering surgical intervention or a biopsy. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help in preventing the misdiagnosis as hemorrhage of CT scan.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.377-380
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• 2006

Intradiploic epidermoid cysts of the cranium are rare, benign and slow growing lesion. However, these cysts may cause neurologic deficits due to mass effect. Intradiploic epidermoid cysts are thought to be derived from persistent ectodermal remnants present in the cranial bones during embryogenic development. Here, we report a case of an occipital intradiploic epidermoid cyst with posterior fossa extension. The patient developed intracranial hypertension associated with hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis, and venous congestion secondary to compression of the torcular and the transverse sinus. The imaging studies included a computerized tomography[CT] venogram, which is essential for determining the pathophysiological mechanism of the clinical spectrum and for surgical planning. Near total removal was accomplished and the postoperative course was uneventful. Postoperative imaging studies demonstrated a reversal of the neural structures, but no patency of the sinus, which was presumably indicative of prolonged sinus stenosis. The patient gradually improved and was discharged free of symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.330-332
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• 2007

Intracranial lipomas are rare, and most of these tumors are found in the region of the corpus callosum, followed by cerebellopontine angle. We present a case of a intracranial lipoma in 30-year-old man. Brain computed tomography [CT] scan and magnetic resonance images [MRI] showed a mass in the medulla oblongata extending to foramen magnum. The histopathologically, diagnosis of lipoma was confirmed. Although there were several cases of cervical intraspinal lipoma extending into posterior cranial fossa, there have been no previous reports of a lipoma arising from the medulla oblongata that extended into the foramen magnum. We describe a rare case of intradural subpial lipoma in the medulla oblongata with a review of the literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup2
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• pp.348-351
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• 2001

Hemangioblastoma is a benign tumor of vascular origin that develops usually in the posterior cranial fossa. We report a case of supratentorial leptomeningeal hemangioblastoma occurring in a 45-year-old man who received total removal of recurrent cerebellar hemangioblastoma four years ago. He was admitted for the evaluation of severe headache and magnetic resonance image showed a well-enhanced, extra-axial mass in the right parietal region. A presumptive diagnosis was meningioma. It was completely removed with the attached dura. Histological examination including immunohistochemical study showed typical findings of hemangioblastoma. It is emphasized that close observation may be necessary for hemangioblastoma, even after total removal.