Endoscopic endonasal cavernous sinus surgery: an anatomic study.

OBJECTIVE: The endoscopic surgical anatomy of the cavernous sinus was studied to establish an anatomic basis for endoscopic endonasal cavernous sinus surgery.

METHODS: Five adult cadaveric heads were studied with 0-, 30-, and 70-degree 4-mm rod-lens endoscopes. The posterior wall of the sphenoidal sinus was approached via a paraseptal, middle turbinectomy, or middle meatal approach.

RESULTS: The posterior bony wall of the sphenoidal sinus is subdivided into five vertical compartments: midline, bilateral paramedian, and bilateral lateral. The midline vertical compartment consists of the planum sphenoidale, tuberculum sellae, sella, and clival indentation. The paramedian vertical compartment is composed of the medial third of the optic canal and the carotid artery protuberance. The lateral vertical compartment contains four bony protuberances (optic, cavernous sinus apex, maxillary, and mandibular) and three depressions (carotico-optic, ophthalmomaxillary [V1-V2], and maxillomandibular [V2-V3]). The three depressions form anatomic triangles at the lateral vertical compartment: the optic strut triangle, which is bordered by the optic nerve, carotid artery, and oculomotor nerve (IIIrd cranial nerve); the V1-V2 triangle; and the V2-V3 triangle. The internal carotid artery at the posterior wall of the sphenoidal sinus can be subdivided into two main segments: the parasellar and the paraclival. The vidian canal is a landmark that leads to the foramen lacerum, the mandibular nerve, and the pterygopalatine fossa.

CONCLUSION: Endoscopic anatomy of the cavernous sinus has been studied via an endonasal route in cadaveric specimens to provide an anatomic basis for endoscopic endonasal cavernous sinus surgery.