Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42821004›Full record

ArticleActa neurochirurgica2026

Comparative analysis of endoscopic endonasal far-medial, far-lateral transcondylar and combined approaches to the foramen magnum region: volumetric analysis and quantitative insights on surgical exposure and maneuverability.

Rachel Blue, Yan Zhou, Kamila Bond, Sonia Ajmera, Reinier Alvarez, Ross Moseley, Patrick Hosokawa, A Samy Youssef

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Acta neurochirurgica, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Rachel BlueDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. rachel.blue@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6419-7373
Yan ZhouUniversity of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
Kamila BondDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Sonia AjmeraDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Reinier AlvarezDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Ross MoseleyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
Patrick HosokawaDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
A Samy YoussefDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSurgical access to the anterior craniovertebral junction (CVJ) and foramen magnum region remains technically challenging due to dense neurovascular anatomy and limited working corridors. Although the far-lateral transcondylar and endoscopic far-medial approaches are both employed clinically, direct quantitative comparisons of maneuverability and volumetric exposure are still lacking.

objectiveTo quantitatively assess and compare surgical maneuverability, anatomic limits and volume of exposure of the endoscopic far-medial, far-lateral, and combined approaches.

methodsFive latex-injected cadaveric heads underwent dissection via an endoscopic endonasal far-medial approach (EEFM), contralateral far-lateral transcondylar approach (FL), and a combined approach. Surgical freedom, horizontal and vertical angles of attack, and volumetric exposure were measured using neuronavigation and 3D CT-based segmentation. Site-specific measurements were obtained at the hypoglossal canal, jugular foramen, and vertebrobasilar junction. Statistical comparisons were made using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.

resultsThe FL demonstrated significantly greater surgical freedom (363 mm

conclusionThe far-lateral approach offers superior surgical freedom and posterolateral exposure, while the far-medial endoscopic approach provides a direct but limited midline corridor predominantly anteromedial foramen magnum lesions. The combined approach maximizes volumetric access and should be considered for extensive foramen magnum lesions particularly engulfing or anterior to neurovascular structures.

Indexed as

Foramen MagnumNeuroendoscopyCadaverHumansImaging, Three-DimensionalNeuronavigationEndoscopic endonasalFar lateralFar medialForamen magnumLower clivusMeningiomaTranscondylar

Identifiers

PMID42821004
PMCPMC13630844

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.