Morphometric and Clinical Importance of Anatomical Structures Related to Fossa Cerebellaris in Surgical Approaches

Background: Surgical approaches to the posterior fossa are always challenging and complex anatomical structures pose risks for the removal of cerebellar lesions.In this study, we aimed to define a safe corridor for tumor surgery for neurosurgeons by examining the anatomy of the fossa cerebellaris in detail and measuring some osseous landmarks. Materials and Methods:In this study, 15 dry bone craniums and 8 cadavers were morphometrically examined and the distances between some important bony landmarks were measured with a digital caliper with millimeter precision.The measurements were compared using statistical methods. Results:The distance between anterior margin of foramen magnum (FM) and spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) was found to be longer in dry skull than in cadaver measurements, and a statistically significant difference was found.There was no significant difference between right and left side comparisons for for.jugulare, for.magnum, porus acousticus internus and canalis nervi hypolossi in both dry skull and cadaver samples. Conclusion:Longer distance between the anterior border of FM and SOS make difficult the surgical approach to the clivus lesions, but facilitate to the reach the anterior FM tumors.Careful preoperative evaluation of this distance provides good anatomical knowledge for neurosurgeons dealing with such lesions.