title: The endoscopic endonasal approach to the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus via the pterygopalatine fossa: comparison of endoscopic and radiological landmarks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The endoscopic endonasal approach offers the opportunity to reach the pterygopalatine fossa, the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus, and other areas of the cranial base through a minimally invasive approach. This study compares the anatomy of these areas when observed through an endoscopic endonasal view with the anatomy of the same regions as they appear in computed tomographic scans. The aim was to identify and correlate the corresponding anatomic structures, providing the surgeons with anatomic landmarks to guide them when operating in these areas through an endoscopic endonasal approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anatomic dissection of six fixed cadaver heads was performed by an endoscopic endonasal approach. A step-by-step comparison of endoscopic and radiological images was made to identify the landmarks of the surgical field.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The step-by-step comparison of endoscopic and radiological images acquired during the endoscopic endonasal approach to the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus via the pterygopalatine fossa allowed the identification of all the relevant anatomic landmarks of the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The endoscopic endonasal approach via the pterygopalatine fossa offers direct, minimally invasive access to the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus, which can be monitored in each phase through consistent radiological imagery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Magro
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Solari
authors.forename: Luigi M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Cavallo
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samii
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cappabianca
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paternò
authors.forename: Wolf O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Lüdemann
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Divitiis
authors.forename: Madjid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samii
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*