title: Surgical Approaches to the Jugular Foramen: A Comprehensive Review.
abstract: Introduction Multiple surgical approaches and combinations thereof have been described to gain access to the jugular foramen. In an area laden with important neurovascular structures, care must be taken in choosing the best surgical approach for treatment of rare pathologies involving this region. Methods This manuscript provides a comprehensive review of the relevant anatomy along with an overview of the various approaches to the jugular foramen. In an attempt to simplify the various concepts, we propose a basic distinction into anterolateral and posterolateral approaches based on the main trajectory targeting the jugular foramen. Conclusion The anatomy surrounding the jugular foramen is exceedingly complex and requires in-depth understanding of skull base and head and neck relationships.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States.
authors.forename: Christoph J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Griessenauer
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, United States.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McGrew
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Petru
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matusz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Caro
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, St George's University, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, United States.
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
keywords: jugular foramen; neurosurgery; posterior fossa; skull base