title: Anatomical study of the pterygopalatine fossa using an endoscopic endonasal approach: spatial relations and distances between surgical landmarks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The pterygopalatine fossa is an area that lies deep within the skull base. The recent extensive use of the endoscopic endonasal approach has provided neurosurgeons with a method to reach various areas of the skull base through a less invasive approach than traditional transcranial or transfacial approaches. This study aims to provide neurosurgeons with new data concerning direct endoscopic measurements and precise anatomical topography features of the pterygopalatine fossa.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anatomical dissection of six fixed cadaver heads (12 pterygopalatine fossae) was performed to analyze spatial relationships and distances between the most important neurovascular structures in this region, and to estimate the size of the endoscopic surgical field for operations in this area. The endoscopic endonasal approach offers direct access to the pterygopalatine fossa through its anteromedial walls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using an endoscopic endonasal approach makes it possible to identify all of the anatomical landmarks of the pterygopalatine fossa and almost all of the contiguous skull base areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Solari
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Magro
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cappabianca
authors.forename: Luigi M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Cavallo
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samii
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paternò
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Divitiis
authors.forename: Madjid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samii
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000601:surgery; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000294:innervation*; D011626:Pterygoid Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019291:Skull Base / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000294:innervation*