A cadaveric study investigating the anatomy of the medial orbital wall

Position of the anterior ethmoidal foramen and trauma to the cranial base during transconjunctival medial orbital decompression: a systematic literature review

PURPOSE

To review the literature on the location of the anterior ethmoidal foramen (AEF) and trauma during transconjunctival medial wall decompression.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases, combining the terms "olfactory fossa" and "fovea ethmoidalis" with "trauma," "cerebrospinal fluid leak," "pneumocephalus," "orbital decompression," and "anterior ethmoidal artery" (AEA). All cases of cranial base trauma during medial orbital decompression and the anatomical studies on the location of the AEF and the course of the AEA were reviewed.

RESULTS

Ninety-four articles were identified, of which 37 were related to the AEF, 41 reported the course of the AEA, and 16 to reported cases of cranial base trauma. Out of these cases, 10 were related to transconjunctival medial orbital decompression, affecting 11 patients. Most AEFs are situated at the frontoethmoidal suture, but up to 38.15% of AEFs are located above the suture on the frontal bone. Most AEFs are adjacent to the roof of the ethmoidal sinus. The distance of the AEF to the cranial base increases in the presence of supraorbital ethmoidal cells (SOEC).

CONCLUSIONS

The position of the AEF is variable and should not be considered a safe landmark for all patients.

Practical Considerations in Computerized Surgical Planning for Frontofacial Surgery

The field of frontofacial surgery has advanced considerably, building on the pioneering techniques of Paul Tessier, with computerized surgical planning (CSP) emerging as a critical component. CSP has enhanced the precision and efficiency of surgeries for craniofacial dysostoses and hypertelorism, resulting in improved outcomes. This review delves into the importance of understanding orbital anatomy and the crucial bony and soft tissue landmarks essential to the application of CSP in frontofacial procedures, encompassing Le Fort III and monobloc advancements, as well as the correction of hypertelorism.

A Systematic and Critical Review on the Anatomy of the Ethmoidal Foramina

PURPOSE

The osteologic anatomy of the orbit is still a field of intense research, particularly as far as vascular channels are concerned. Among them, ethmoidal foraminas (EFs) are certainly those that have more clinical importance and indeed have been deeply investigated. Unfortunately, the vast production of articles, far from clarifying their anatomy, generated a certain degree of confusion.

METHODS

A search on Pubmed and Scopus databases updated up to December 31, 2023, has been carried out with the keyword "ethmoidal foramen" yielding a list of 357 items. With a careful screening process, 31 articles were enlisted to be included in the present review.

RESULTS

A critical review process confirmed that many results published over the years appear inconsistent, particularly as far as EFs topography is concerned. The possible reasons for this lack of consistency can be traced back to inter-ethnical differences, uncertainty on the anterior bony landmarks employed in the investigations, and lack of a general consensus over EFs classification. A novel approach, based on the normalization of the distance of the anterior landmarks relative to the length of the orbit (relative depth index), should overcome some of the major problems encountered so far.

CONCLUSIONS

Novel and clear guidelines to classify EFs and to locate them on the medial wall are required. Determining the relative depth index of EFs may be an interesting approach to solve the matter. Other methods can be also devised. However, direct measurements from bony landmarks, without any further analysis seem inadequate and possibly misleading.

Endoscopic-assisted Orbitotomy for Obliteration of Orbital Arteriovenous Fistula Refractory to Endovascular Techniques

Orbital arteriovenous fistula is a rare acquired disorder. The coincidence of arteriovenous fistula with lymphaticovenous malformation is even rarer. The optimal treatment, thus, is controversial. Surgical approaches vary widely, with associated pros and cons. The purpose of this case report is to describe an orbital arteriovenous fistula in a 25-year-old man with congenital fronto-orbital lymphaticovenous malformation, refractory to endovascular techniques, which was later successfully ablated by a direct endoscopic-assisted orbital approach.

Anatomy of lacrimal sac fossa affecting success rate in endoscopic and external dacryocystorhinostomy surgery in Mongolians

To study the affect of anatomical variance of lacrimal sac fossa on dacryocystorhinostomies (DCR) performed by the traditional external (EX-DCR) approach or an endoscopic (EN-DCR) endonasal approach. A total of 292 consecutive cases with primary nasolacrimal obstruction underwent DCR surgery. Orbital computed tomography scan was used to measure lacrimal sac fossa and other related structures and Lac-Q questionnaire was used to compare surgery result. Maxillary portion of lacrimal sac fossa is thicker in failed surgery group than successful surgery group (P<0.05). Lateral nasal structures (uncinate process, operculum of the middle turbinate, agger nasi) are dominantly adjusting to lacrimal sac fossa in failed surgery group (P<0.05). Patients who underwent EX-DCR has a 6.0-point and EN-DCR group 11.0-point improvement (P<0.016) in Lac-Q questionnaire. Patients who have a thick frontal process of the maxilla and uncinate process, operculum of the middle turbinate, ethmoid cells adjusting to lacrimal fossa are prone to have recurrence of nasolacrimal duct obstruction after DCR surgery. The EN-DCR and the EX-DCR approach have an equivalent surgical success rate but improvement in quality of life by using the Lac-Q questionnaire is greater in the endoscopic group when compared with the external.