Anatomical observation of operative approach of pituitary adenoma

Objective To put forward anatomic parameters about the pituitary adenoma for microneurosurgery.Methods The surgical anatomy of the operating spaces and vessels/ nerves nearby in the sellar region was studied in 30 cadaver brains.Results The distance was(21.73±3.72)mm between endostoma of internal cervical arteries(ICA),(11.77±3.34)mm between endostoma of optic canals,(20.92±4.58)mm between cavernous sinuses,transverse diameter of basilar sella was(13.57±4.21)mm,longitudinal distance was(13.61±3.18)mm,the distance from anterior sphenoidal wall to nares was(92.91±17.81)mm,the distance from midpoint of superciliary arch superior border to the tuberculum sellae was(62.24±14.17)mm,the distance from midpoint of superciliary arch superior border(MSASB) to the homonymy endostoma of optic canal was(53.45±16.91)mm,the distance from MSASB to the opposite side endostoma of optic canal was(62.24±20.80)mm,the distance from MSASB to the homonymy entrance of ICA was(69.81±21.96)mm,the distance from MSASB to the opposite side entrance of ICA was(78.40±27.46)mm,the distance from MSASB to the homonymy lap of ICA was(56.43±15.31)mm,the distance from MSASB to the opposite side lap of ICA was(64.53±17.01)mm,the distance from pterion to the root of pituitary stalk was(59.24±17.17)mm,the distance from pterion to anterior clinoid process was(45.51±10.55)mm,the distance from pterion to cavernous sinus was(43.72±9.48)mm.Conclusion The present results may be a guide for the microsurgery of the sellar region to avoid injury of the important nerves and vessels.