Contralateral Precaruncular Approach to the Lateral Sphenoid Sinus-A Case Report Detailing a New, Multiportal...

Conventional surgical approaches to the lateral aspect of a well-pneumatized sphenoid sinus are associated with significant surgical morbidity. Transorbital endoscopic approaches have recently gained favor as an alternative approach to the skull base. We describe the use of a contralateral precaruncular endoscopic approach to provide a surgical pathway to the lateral aspect of the sphenoid sinus, allowing for improved and direct visualization of the surgical field, with limited morbidity.

A 60-year-old female patient, with a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak from a Sternberg canal defect in the sphenoid sinus, underwent repair of the defect at Groote Schuur Hospital (Cape Town, South Africa). A contralateral precaruncular approach, using the left medial orbital portal, was utilized to access the defect in the lateral aspect of a well-pneumatized right sphenoid sinus. Computer modeling software was used to predetermine the surgical pathway, and the case was performed under navigation guidance. Adequate surgical access was obtained to the lateral sphenoid sinus and sinus defect, with superior visualization compared to a pure transnasal or transpterygoid approach to the lateral sphenoid sinus.

This case validates the use of computer simulation to plan and decide on the best operative approaches in skull base surgery and describes the contralateral precaruncular approach as a surgical pathway to the lateral sphenoid sinus. Advantages of the contralateral precaruncular approach include a direct trajectory toward the sinus defect, easy access with a standard 18-cm, 4-mm, 0-degree rigid endoscope, and straight instruments, with sparing of the pterygoid base and contents of the pterygopalatine fossa.