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The oculomotor nerve: anatomic relationship with the floor of the third ventricle

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Abstract

Purpose

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has become first-line treatment for obstructive hydrocephalus. Many complications have been described, but the literature about oculomotor palsy after ETV is scarce. Therefore we undertook an anatomical study of the relationship of the oculomotor nerve to the floor of the third ventricle.

Methods

Distances and angles between the third nerve and the bottom of the third ventricle were studied both in two cadaver heads and in high-definition CISS images in 16 MRI scans. The angles of the trajectories putting the nerve at risk or not were compared. Finally, in a retrospective analysis of intraoperative images the appearance of the membranous portion of the floor was defined and if visible, the distance of the third nerve to the midline was estimated by comparing with the 8-mm balloon catheter.

Results

The course of the third nerve is approximately 8 mm laterally and approximately 17 mm caudally distant from the midpoint of the floor of the third ventricle. The angle of the trajectory to damage the third nerve is at least 12° greater than any safe angle of ETV trajectory through a normal burr hole.

Conclusions

The third nerve is not always visible during ETV procedures, but the angular and linear measurements imply that the risk to damage the nerve should be relatively small. Confirmation of these data in hydrocephalic patients with distorted anatomy is needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Eveleen Buelens, Johannes van Loon & Frank van Calenbergh

  2. Department of Radiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Catholic University Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Guido Wilms

  3. Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy, Catholic University, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Eveleen Buelens, Johannes van Loon & Frank van Calenbergh

Authors
  1. Eveleen Buelens
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  2. Guido Wilms
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  3. Johannes van Loon
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  4. Frank van Calenbergh
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Correspondence to Eveleen Buelens.

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Buelens, E., Wilms, G., van Loon, J. et al. The oculomotor nerve: anatomic relationship with the floor of the third ventricle. Childs Nerv Syst 27, 943–948 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-010-1317-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-010-1317-5

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