The supracerebellar infratentorial approach is a widely used technique to access lesions in the pineal region and posterior midbrain surface. It was first reported by Horsley in 1910 through a midline route, and it was later popularized by Stein. Sequentially lateral variants of this approach have been described. Voigt and Yasargil performed the paramedian supracerebellar infratentorial approach for resection of cavernomas of the parahippocampal gyrus. In 1990, Van den Bergh described the more lateral alternative access called the extreme lateral approach. Afterward, other studies reported similar techniques to access the posterior aspect of the midbrain.
Preoperative planning is fundamental for reducing morbidity and mortality in brainstem surgeries. The selection of the surgical route should contemplate the shortest way to the nearest safe entry zone.
Assoc. Prof. Abuzer Güngör is giving the "Microsurgical Anatomy of Supracerebellar Approaches and Its Variants" conference, don't miss it!
