Category Anatomy

Brainstem and pineal region

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…

Basal ganglia and thalamus

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…

Cerebral vasculature

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…

Ventricular system

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…

Foramen magnum and inferior clivus

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…

Cerebellopontine angle

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…

Suprasellar and paraclinoidal regions

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…

Neurosurgical anatomy

This chapter contains an overview of the surgical anatomy of the brain that will be amplified in later chapters. The use of cisternal anatomy to guide microsurgical procedures in the supratentorial and infratentorial compartments is emphasized. The pterional, transcallosal and…

Root of the neck and tracheostomy

Root of the neck Core Procedures Percutaneous Access Subclavian vein access: Supraclavicular or infraclavicular approach – temporary central venous access Brachial plexus block: Interscalene approach – anaesthesia for shoulder and upper extremity Supraclavicular approach – anaesthesia for distal two-thirds of…