Neurological research
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Neurological research · Jun 2001
Microsurgical anatomy of the ophthalmic artery and the distal dural ring for the juxta-dural ring aneurysms via the pterional approach.
Microsurgical anatomy for the pterional approach was studied regarding the origin and the course of the ophthalmic artery and the distal dural ring using human cadaveric specimens, with special reference to the surrounding bony structures. In 50 human adult formalin-fixed cadaveric cerebral hemispheres and 10 block specimens of the skull base region including the ophthalmic artery and the carotid dural ring were examined under magnification using an operating microscope. The ophthalmic artery originated from the intradural portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA), except in 5% where the ophthalmic artery originated extradurally. ⋯ The ophthalmic artery was commonly taking an S-shaped course in the intradural portion and entered the optic canal over the optic strut. The distal dural ring was tightly adherent to the internal carotid artery; circumferential sectioning of the dural ring is required to mobilize the internal carotid artery. When approaching juxtadural ring ICA aneurysms via the pterional route, it is important to recognize the extradural origin, especially the trans-optic strut type, and to precisely understand the microsurgical anatomy around the dural ring.