Abstract
The inferior colliculus (IC) is an alternative site for electrode placement in neural
deafness due to its surgical accessibility and its well-known tonotopic stratification.
In patients where tumor surgery has already occurred and the cerebellopontine angle
contains scar tissue or tumor-remnants, midline and paramedian supracerebellar approaches
are alternative routes. They are often avoided due to concerns regarding the venous
drainage of the cerebellum, the electrode trajectory and the course of the electrode
cable. We studied these surgical routes in five neuronavigated fixed cadaveric specimens.
For paramedian and midline approaches, the transverse sinus was exposed 5.8 mm on average. A mean of 1.6 cerebellar veins, with an average diameter of 2.0 mm, draining to the tentorium were transected to reach the tentorial notch. Only 0.4
arterial branches were met. We conclude that the supracerebellar midline and paramedian
approaches provide a good exposure of the IC and offer safe and viable alternative
routes to the IC. Additionally, they provide a wider angle of action for optimal electrode
placement.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
June 29,
2009
Received:
June 25,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
