Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Ventral Petroclival Fissure: Anatomic Findings and Surgical Techniques

Objective: The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has emerged as an excellent option for the treatment of lesions involving the petroclival fissure, typically chordomas and chondrosarcomas. The ventral part of the petroclival fissure is composed by the sphenoid, temporal and occipital bones and it is intimately related the ICA. Here we investigated the surgical anatomy of ventral PCF and its surgical application in endoscopic endonasal surgery.