Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of an endoscopic endonasal transclival approach to treat aneurysms arising in the basilar apex, posterior cerebral arteries, and superior cerebellar arteries. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric anatomical study. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen cadaveric specimens. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Degree of surgical exposure of each artery attained, distance from the nasal vestibule to these three arteries, and feasibility of clipping these vessels using standard vascular clip applicators. RESULTS: Both posterior cerebral arteries were exposed, 0.67 cm (standard deviation [SD]: 0.2) on the right side and 0.59 cm (SD: 0.2) on the left side. Both right and left superior cerebral arteries were exposed, 0.6 cm (SD: 0.2) and 0.7 cm (SD: 0.3), respectively. The length of the basilar artery exposed was 2.6 cm (SD: 0.3). The distance from the nasal vestibule to the posterior cerebral artery, superior cerebellar artery, and basilar apex was 10 cm with an SD of ± 0.7, 0.6, and 0.8 cm, respectively. We were able to apply clips on each of these three vessels with a minimal alteration of surrounding normal tissue. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic endonasal transclival approach represents a potentially feasible surgical corridor to treat aneurysms arising from these vessels.