[Neuronavigation-assisted microanatomical study of the facial nerve canal through the transpetrosal approach].
OBJECTIVE
To study the value of neuronavigation in the transpetroal approach, and to provide anatomic data for the protection of the nerves in the facial nerve canal (FNC) during surgeries.


METHODS
Simulated surgery through the transpetroal approach was performed on 16 sides of 8 adult cadaver heads with the assistance by neuronavigation. The anatomy of the facial nerve and the relationship of related structures were observed and the distances from the utmost external edge of the mastoid to different segments of the FNC were measured.


RESULTS
Neuronavigation was successful with all the FNC, with the mean error of less than 0.9 mm. The FNC could be divided into 3 segments, the labyrinthine, the tympanic and the mastoid segments, stretching 3.6+/-1.2 mm, 11.2+/-2.5 mm and 16.1+/-3.6 mm respectively and with diameters of 1.2+/-0.3 mm, 1.4+/-0.1 mm and 1.7+/-0.2 mm, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuronavigation may help protect the FNC during surgical procedures, and a thorough knowledge of the anatomic features of the FNC can be significant for preservation of the facial nerves.
Lin
Ai-long
AL
Department of Neurosurgery, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, Wuhan 430070, China. lianal@tom.com
Qin
Shang-zhen
SZ
Gong
Jie
J
Xu
Guo-zheng
GZ
Li
Jun
J
Yao
Guo-jie
GJ
D000328:Adult; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D038361:Neuronavigation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed