title: The supracerebellar infratentorial approach to the dorsal midbrain.
abstract: The supracerebellar infratentorial approach provides access to the dorsal midbrain, pineal region, and tentorial incisura. This approach can be used with the patient in a sitting, prone, park-bench, or supine position. For a patient with a supple neck and favorable anatomy, we prefer the supine position. The ipsilateral shoulder is elevated, the head turned to the contralateral side, the chin is tucked, and the neck extended toward the floor to open the craniocervical angle for added working room. Care must be taken to place the craniotomy laterally to make use of the ascending angle of the tentorium for ease of access to deep-seated lesions. The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/BZh6ljmE23k .
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
authors.forename: M Yashar S
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kalani
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
authors.forename: Nikolay L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Martirosyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nakaji
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Spetzler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000601:surgery; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000601:surgery*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: dorsal midbrain; supracerebellar infratentorial approach; video