Morphometric Assesment of the External Anatomy of Fourth Ventricle and Dorsal Brainstem in Fresh Cadavers

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the external anatomy of the fourth ventricle and dorsal brainstem using morphometric data, which could be useful for preoperative surgical planning.

Material and methods: Between January 2017 and December 2017, 42 fresh adult cadavers were investigated for the measurements of the cadaver brainstems and fourth ventricle, and they were recorded by photography. Measurements were evaluated according to body mass indexes (BMIs) of the patients. We also investigate the visualization of facial colliculus and stria medullaris on brainstem.

Results: A total of 42 fresh cadavers with a mean age of 45.38 ± 16.41 years old were included in this research. We found no statistically significant difference between measurements and BMIs. Facial colliculus was visualized in 92.9% (n=39), but it could not visualized in 7.1% (n=3) of the subjects. When the right side of the stria medullaris was examined, one bundle was seen in 59.5% (n=25) of the subjects, two bundles were seen in 31% (n=13) of the subjects, and 3 bundles were seen in 9.5% (n=4) of the subjects. When the left side of the stria medullaris was examined, one bundle was seen in 57.1% (n=24) of the subjects, two bundles were seen in 33.3% (n=14) of the subjects, and three bundles were seen in 9.5% (n=4) of the subjects.

Conclusion: Knowledge of the normal morphometry of the dorsal brainstem as it has been reported in this study will help one to assess distortions in any preoperative imaging studies and surgical planning.