title: Endoscopic endonasal approach to the middle cranial fossa through the cavernous sinus triangles: anatomical considerations.
abstract: The lateral limit of endoscopic endonasal surgery has yet to be defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the lateral limit of endoscopic endonasal surgery at the level of the sphenoid sinus. Access from the sphenoid sinus to the middle cranial fossa through the cavernous sinus triangles was evaluated by cadaver dissection. Anatomical analysis demonstrated that the medial temporal dura mater was exposed through the anterior area of the clinoidal triangle, anteromedial triangle, and superior area of the anterolateral triangle, indicating potential corridors to the middle cranial fossa. This study suggests that the cavernous sinus triangles are applicable in selected cases to manage middle cranial fossa lesions by endoscopic endonasal surgery.
authors.forename: Fuminari
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Komatsu
authors.forename: Shinri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oda
authors.forename: Masami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimoda
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shigematsu
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Komatsu
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tschabitscher
authors.forename: Mitsunori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsumae