Exoscopic extradural anterior clinoidectomy

Neurosurg Focus Video. 2024 Jan 1;10(1):V4. doi: 10.3171/2023.10.FOCVID23118. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Abstract

Extradural anterior clinoidectomy is a resourceful technique to decompress the optic nerve as well as increase exposure of the parasellar region during extensive approaches. Despite requiring adjunctive epidural bone work, this technique allows safe optic nerve mobilization and early devascularization for anterior clinoidal meningioma resection. This 2D operative video describes right optic nerve decompression by extradural anterior clinoidectomy and subsequent resection of a right Al-Mefty type III clinoid meningioma under exoscope magnification. The patient was a 50-year-old woman with a 1-year history of right visual acuity impairment and papillary atrophy. The exoscope allows a 360° view around the anterior clinoid, improving maneuverability. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2023.10.FOCVID23118.

Keywords: clinoidal meningioma; drilling; exoscope; extradural anterior clinoidectomy; optic nerve decompression.