The patterned anatomy of the spine is not without its drawbacks. While the study of any individual level can enlighten the surgeon about several adjacent, or even all, levels, a blind reliance on repetition and consistency can be disorienting, leading…
Core Procedures Myelotomy for intramedullary tumour Dorsal root entry zone lesioning for pain Selective dorsal rhizotomy for spasticity Cordotomy for pain Syringoperitoneal/syringopleural shunting The spinal cord lies within the upper two-thirds of the vertebral canal (spinal canal), which is formed…
Core Procedures Brainstem Midline suboccipital craniotomy to the cerebellum and fourth ventricle Retrosigmoid craniotomy to the lateral cerebellum and cerebellopontine angle Far lateral approach to the ventral brainstem Cranio-orbitozygomatic approach to the upper brainstem Pineal Gland Supracerebellar infratentorial approach Occipital…
Core Procedures Stereotactic deep-brain stimulation electrode implantation (subthalamic nucleus, globus pallidus pars interna, Vim), radiofrequency lesioning (e.g. pallidotomy), biopsy or radiosurgery Management of any lesion (e.g. tumour, arteriovenous malformation, haematoma) partly or wholly involving the basal ganglia or thalamus Surface…
Core procedures Open approaches to the anterior circulation Open approaches to the posterior circulation Endovascular approaches to the anterior and posterior circulation Many vascular lesions (such as aneurysms) are approached via an endovascular route. Open surgery is more frequently performed…
Core procedures Treatment of medically refractory epilepsy. This chapter will address the key surgically relevant cortical and white matter anatomy of the brain and some of the principles underlying resection of limbic/paralimbic gliomas and removal of tumours in the eloquent…
Core Procedures Cannulation of the lateral ventricle Endoscopic third ventriculostomy Approaches to the third ventricle Approaches to the fourth ventricle An understanding of the three-dimensional anatomy of the ventricular system of the brain is critical to the safe and effective…
Core Procedures Far-lateral approach and transcondylar extension Endoscopic endonasal approach to the inferior clivus and foramen magnum Surgical surface anatomy The C1 transverse process can often be palpated adjacent to the mastoid process; it acts as a reliable landmark for…
Core Procedures Microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve Microvascular decompression of the facial nerve Microvascular decompression of the glossopharyngeal nerve Retrosigmoid approach to vestibular schwannomas and other cerebellopontine angle tumours Surgical access to the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) requires a detailed…
Core Procedures Endoscopic endonasal suprasellar approaches Open transbasal subfrontal approach to anterior cranial fossa and lamina terminalis Anterior clinoidectomy With the increase in the application of endoscopic endonasal surgery to the skull base, it is feasible to access midline lesions…