Transcallosal Retroforniceal Transchoroidal Approach: To the Posterior Third Ventricle and Beyond

World Neurosurg. 2024 Oct:190:255-259. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.07.100. Epub 2024 Jul 20.

Abstract

Background: The transcallosal retroforniceal transchoroidal approach represents an advanced neurosurgical technique that allows access to lesions located within the posterior third ventricle and mesencephalon. It relies on a comprehensive understanding of microsurgical anatomy and embryology, integrating modern neurosurgical operative techniques to minimize retraction and injury to the normal neuronal structures.

Methods: We report the cases of 2 patients undergoing treatment via this approach, one presenting with a thalamic cavernoma and the other with cystic low-grade glioma of the midbrain.

Results: In these 2 cases, the decision to use the transcallosal approach was mainly due to improved trajectory, gravitational retraction of the hemisphere, and improved delivery of the lesion into the operative field by gravity alone.

Conclusions: Through a detailed description of the surgical approach and anatomy, we illustrate the feasibility of the transcallosal retroforniceal transchoroidal approach for accessing lesions located deeply in the brain.

Keywords: Cavernous malformation; Interhemispheric approach; Low-grade glioma; Midbrain; Thalamus; Third ventricle; Transcallosal approach.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Corpus Callosum / diagnostic imaging
  • Corpus Callosum / surgery
  • Female
  • Glioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Glioma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurosurgical Procedures* / methods
  • Third Ventricle* / surgery