How do you approach infratemporal fossa?

SUBTEMPORAL PREAURICULAR INFRATEMPORAL FOSSA APPROACH Begin with extension of the neck and turn the head 45 degrees to the contralateral side. The beginning of the incision is made on the frontal skin, descending in front of the external auditory canal and with anterior extension in the neck.

What is temporal and infratemporal fossa?

The temporal and infratemporal fossae are interconnected spaces on the lateral side of the head. Their boundaries are formed by bone and soft tissues. The infratemporal fossa is a wedge-shaped space deep to the masseter muscle and the underlying ramus of the mandible.

What structures does infratemporal fossa communicate with?

The infratemporal fossa contains several vascular structures:

• Maxillary artery – the terminal branch of the external carotid artery. It travels through the infratemporal fossa.
• Pterygoid venous plexus – drains the eye and is directly connected to the cavernous sinus.
• Maxillary vein.
• Middle meningeal vein.

Where is the infratemporal fossa located in the skull?

The infratemporal fossa (ITF) is an anatomical lateral skull base space composed by the zygoma, temporal, and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone. Due to its difficult approach, surgical intervention at the ITF has remained a heavy burden to surgeons.

What’s the best way to treat an infratemporal fossa?

Shave the scalp, following the planned incision line (eg, bicoronal), and infiltrate the incision line with a solution of lidocaine and epinephrine (1:100,000-1:400,000). For endoscopic approaches, position the head in a 3-pin fixation system and use a surgical navigation system. Decongest the nose using oxymetazoline 0.05%.

What are the variations in infratemporal skull base approaches?

We approached to summary variations in infratemporal skull base approaches, and the clinical anatomy of the ITF.

Is the maxillary artery a part of the infratemporal fossa?

The infratemporal fossa contains several vascular structures: Maxillary artery – the terminal branch of the external carotid artery. It travels through the infratemporal fossa. Within the fossa, it gives rise to the middle meningeal artery, which passes through the superior border via the foramen spinosum.