Posterior Interhemispheric Transtentorial Subsplenial Approach for Posterior Thalamic Tumors: 2-Dimensional Operative...

The posterior interhemispheric transtentorial subsplenial approach provides a direct corridor to posterior thalamic lesions without a cortical or callosal incision. 1.

This corridor is through the posterior interhemispheric fissure along the medial surface of the cuneus and allows the subsplenial region to be explored. Evaluating the tumor's size and extension is crucial to determining the suitability of this approach. The deep venous system may be displaced from mass effect, requiring preoperative venous examination.

A 34-year-old male patient was admitted elsewhere with blurred vision and imbalance. MRI revealed a right-sided posterior thalamic tumor with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. The patient was followed-up after placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Seven months later, he was admitted to our clinic because the tumor had grown. The patient underwent surgical intervention. The patient was placed in the prone oblique position. After dural opening, the quadrigeminal cistern was opened to release cerebrospinal fluid, allowing significant gravity relaxation of the ipsilateral hemisphere. The tentorium was cut and retracted to achieve the necessary exposure.

The most serious complications of this approach occur from vascular injuries. Gravitational retraction of the occipital lobe protects the optic radiation, and anatomic landmarks help the surgeon maintain anatomic orientation.

The perimedian supracerebellar transtentorial approach is an alternative to the posterior interhemispheric transtentorial subsplenial approach for lesions in this area; however, the indications and limits of these approaches have some differences.The patient consented to the procedure and to the publication of his/her image.Images at 0:29 reused from Serra et al, 1 with permission from Elsevier.