Approach to the jugular foramen and related structures - an analysis of the surgical technique based on cadaver simulation

• Published in: Neurologia i neurochirurgia polska 2011-05, Vol.45 (3), p.260-274
• Main Authors: Ladziński, Piotr, Maliszewski, Mariusz, Kaspera, Wojciech, Szczygieł, Majchrzak, Tymowski, Michał
• Format: Article
• Language: Polish
• Subjects: Brain Neoplasms; Cadaver; Cranial Sutures; Craniotomy - methods; Dissection; Humans; Jugular Veins; Microsurgery; Neurosurgical Procedures - methods; Poland; Skull Base - anatomy & histology; Skull Base - surgery; Skull Base Neoplasms - surgery; Teaching Materials
• ISSN: 0028-3843
• DOI: 10.1016/s0028-3843(14)60079-7

This study presents consecutive stages of the approach to the jugular foramen and related structures. Eleven simulations of the approach were performed on non-fixed human cadavers without any known pathologies in the head and neck. The consecutive stages of the procedure were documented with photographs and schematic diagrams. The starting point for the discussed approach is removal of the mastoid and petrosal parts of the temporal bone, as well as the jugular process and the jugular tuberculum. It allows penetration of the jugular foramen from the back. Widening of the approach enables penetration of the jugular foramen from above and the front. Approach to the jugular foramen is a reproducible technique, which provides surgical penetration of this foramen and related structures. This approach is particularly useful in the surgical treatment of tumours expanding in the petrous pyramid, surroundings of the petrosal part of the internal carotid artery, cerebellopontine angle, subtemporal fossa and nervous-vascular bundle of the neck.