title: Morphometric analysis of the medial opticocarotid recess and its anatomical relations relevant to the transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal approaches.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The medial opticocarotid recess (MOCR) is located in the posterior wall of the sphenoid sinus, medial to the junction of the optic canal (OC) and the carotid prominence (CP). There is controversy in the literature in relation to the presence of the MOCR and its constancy, which is relevant when approaching the skull base through an endoscopic route.
  
  
  METHODS
  The morphometric relations of the MOCR with the surrounding structures were studied in 18 cadaveric specimens after endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The distance between both MOCR was 11.06 ± 1.14 mm; the distance between the MOCR and the lateral opticocarotid (LOCR) recess was 5.56 ± 0.85 mm; the distance between the MOCR and the suprasellar recess was 3.72 ± 0.49 mm; the angle between the MOCR plane and the OC 13.32 ± 2.30°; the angle between the MOCR plane and the CP 13.50 ± 2.68° and; the angle between the OC and the CP 26.81 ± 4.26°. All measurements showed low variability, with low standard deviation and interquartile range. No relations were found between any of the measurements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MOCR may be used as a reference point for precise location of structures during EEA. Objective measurements may be especially useful in cases with distorted sphenoid bone anatomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery of the Fluminense Federal University, Nitéroi, RJ, Brazil. cristian.nunes@gmail.com.|Departmento de Neurocirurgia, Hospital Universitário Antonio Pedro, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Marquês do Paraná, 303, 24033-900, Niterói, RJ, Brazil. cristian.nunes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cristian Ferrareze
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.|Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, 410 West 10th Avenue, N-1049 Doan Hall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel Monte-Serrat
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Prevedello
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.|Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, 410 West 10th Avenue, N-1049 Doan Hall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Ricardo Luis
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Carrau
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery of the Fluminense Federal University, Nitéroi, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Clóvis Orlando Pereira
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: da Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery of the Fluminense Federal University, Nitéroi, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Alberto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Landeiro
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057605:Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019291:Skull Base / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Endoscopic surgery; Internal carotid artery; Skull base; Sphenoid bone; Transsphenoidal surgery