Applied anatomy of transfrontal and under corpus callosum approach for pituitary tumorectomy

Objective: To provide the microanatomic data of the sellar region for transfrontal approach in pituitary tumorectomy.Methods: Using microanatomic method, the nerves and blood vessels of sellar region were observed on 17 adult head specimens. Results:(1)The area of anterior space of optic chiasma was 28.4 ±0.8 mm. (2) Anterior perforated arteries commonly came from anterior communica ting segment of anterior cerebral artery and last segment of internal carotid pl exus.(3) The distances between the left and right internal carotid arteries at t he level of cavernous sinus, superior wall of cavernous sinus and beginning of a nterior cerebral artery were 16.5±4.4 mm, 13.3±2.5 mm, 17.9±1.6 mm respective ly. (4) Anterior communicating artery was superior cerebral artery was above (82 .4%), before (14.3%) and by the side of optic chiasma (5.9%). (5) The distance b etween the entrance of oculomonter nerve entering cavernous sinus and the poste rior clinoid process was 7.8±2.1 mm, and the distance from the entrance to supe rior clinoidal segment of internal carotids artery was 5.0±2.0 mm.The distance from one side of entrance to another side was 21.9±2.3 mm.Conclusio ns: In pitui tary tumorectomy, internal carotid artery optic nerve and oculomoter nerve must be protected, and at the same time anteior perforated arteries and hypothalamic arteries should be avoid damaiging.