• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.350-359
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• 2023

The suboccipital triangle (ST) is a clinically relevant landmark in the posterior aspect of the neck and is used to locate and mobilize the horizontal segment of the third part of the vertebral artery before it enters the cranium. Unfortunately, this space is not always a viable option for vertebral artery exposition, and consequently a novel triangle, the inferior suboccipital triangle (IST) has been defined. This alternative triangle will allow surgeons to locate the artery more proximally, where its course is more predictable. The purpose of this study was to better define the anatomy of both triangles by measuring their borders and calculating their areas. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Pretoria (reference number: 222/2021) and both triangles were subsequently dissected out on both the left and right sides of 33 formalin-fixed human adult cadavers. The borders of each triangle were measured using a digital calliper and the areas were calculated using Herons Formula. The average area of the ST is 969.82±153.15 mm², while the average area of the IST is 307.48±41.31 mm². No statistically significant differences in the findings were observed between the sides of the body, ancestry, or sex of the cadavers. Measurement and analysis of these triangles provided important anatomical information and speak to their clinical relevance as surgical landmarks with which to locate the vertebral artery. Of particular importance here is the IST, which allows for mobilisation of this artery more proximally, should the ST be occluded.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.221-226
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• 1993

Hamangiopericytoma, first described by Stout & Murray in 1942, is a rare vascular tumor composed of spindle-shaped or rounded cells proliferating around endothelial lined capillaries. These proliferating cells were belived to arise from the pericytes of Zimmerman. Histologically, this tumor demonstrates great variability and clinical course cannot be predicted from the histological appearance. Head and Neck hemangiopericytoma appears to have a lower grade malignancy with frequent local recurrency and metastasis, therefore, aggressive surgical therapy should be the treatment of choice. We experienced a case of hemangiopericytoma occurred in the right skull base at submastoideal and suboccipital area presenting as neck mass in upper occipital triangle in a 42 years old female patient and we report it with a review of literatures.