A Laboratory Manual for Stepwise Cerebral White Matter Fiber Dissection.
OBJECTIVE
White matter fiber dissection is an important method in acquiring a thorough neuroanatomic knowledge for surgical practice. Previous studies have definitely improved our understanding of intrinsic brain anatomy and emphasized on the significance of this technique in modern neurosurgery. However, current literature lacks a complete and concentrated laboratory guide about the entire dissection procedure. Hence, our primary objective is to introduce a detailed laboratory manual for cerebral white matter dissection by highlighting consecutive dissection steps, and to stress important technical comments facilitating this complex procedure.


METHODS
Twenty adult, formalin-fixed cerebral hemispheres were included in the study. Ten specimens were dissected in the lateromedial and 10 in the mediolateral direction, respectively, using the fiber dissection technique and the microscope.


RESULTS
Eleven and 8 consecutive and distinctive dissection steps are recommended for the lateromedial and mediolateral dissection procedures, respectively. Photographs highlighting various anatomic landmarks accompany every step. Technical recommendations, facilitating the dissection process, are also indicated.


CONCLUSIONS
The fiber dissection technique, although complex and time consuming, offers a three-dimensional knowledge of intrinsic brain anatomy and architecture, thus improving both the quality of microneurosurgery and the patient's standard of care. The present anatomic study provides a thorough dissection manual to those who study brain anatomy using this technique.
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Athens, Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece; Microneurosurgery Laboratory, Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: ckouts@hotmail.co.uk.
Christos
C
Koutsarnakis
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Athens, Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece; Microneurosurgery Laboratory, Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Faidon
F
Liakos
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Athens, Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece; Microneurosurgery Laboratory, Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Aristotelis V
AV
Kalyvas
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Athens, Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Damianos E
DE
Sakas
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Athens, Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece; Microneurosurgery Laboratory, Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
George
G
Stranjalis
D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D054022:Cerebrum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008488:Medical Illustration; D009445:Neuroanatomy / Q000193:education*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D010781:Photography; D066127:White Matter / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*
Dissection manual; Fiber dissection technique; White matter anatomy; White matter dissection