title: Minimally invasive subfrontal route for the resection of medial temporal region intrinsic tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The mesial temporal region (MTR) comprises important components of the limbic system, as well as vital neurovascular structures. Because of its important functional role, as much healthy brain tissue as possible must be preserved while targeting resection of MTR lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A frontal minicraniotomy is used to access the MTR through a subfrontal approach. By opening the most medial part of the Sylvian fissure, the uncus-amygdala complex is exposed, and through this, the head of the hippocampus can be reached and removed as well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This approach is extremely suitable for MTR lesions, as it provides the advantage of sparing the most important functional structures of the temporal lobe, the temporal stem, and the limen insulae, as well as the optic radiations and the fronto-occipital connections.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Neurosurgery, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25122, Brescia, Italy. giannantonios@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Giannantonio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spena
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Neurosurgery, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25122, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Pier Paolo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Panciani
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Neurosurgery, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25122, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nicolosi
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Neurosurgery, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25122, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fontanella
mesh_terms: D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Amygdala; Gliomas; Limbic system; Medial temporal region; Minimally invasive; Uncus