The Architecture of the Arcuate Eminence-A Microanatomical Study and Its Application to the Transpetrosal Approach

Toshiro Katsuta; Toshio Matsushima; Masashi Fukui; Albert L. Rhoton Jr

doi:10.1055/s-2001-16604

Skull Base, Table of Contents

Skull Base 2001; 11(3): 165-168
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-16604

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

The Architecture of the Arcuate Eminence-A Microanatomical Study and Its Application to the Transpetrosal Approach

Toshiro Katsuta¹ , Toshio Matsushima² , Masashi Fukui² , Albert L. Rhoton Jr.³

¹Department of Neurosurgery, National Ureshino Hospital, Saga, Japan
²Department of Neurosurgery, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
³Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to determine if the arcuate eminence can be drilled down without opening the semicircular canal to obtain a flatter operative field during an anterior or posterior transpetrosal approach. The depth of the superior semicircular canal from the top of the arcuate eminence was measured in 43 dry temporal bones. We found that the arcuate eminence was situated approximately 20 mm from the petrosigmoid intersection, and the superior semicircular canal was located 2.0 mm deep from the top of the arcuate eminence (range, 0.2 mm to 4.2 mm). The arcuate eminence consists of either (1) the otic capsule and additional overlying bone, (2) the naked otic capsule of normal thickness, or (3) the thinned otic capsule. In cases strictly selected by preoperative computed tomography, it may be possible to drill down the arcuate eminence with meticulous manipulation. The relationship between opening the semicircular canal and hearing preservation is also discussed.

KEYWORD

Arcuate eminence - superior semicircular canal - transpetrosal approach

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References

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