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Acta Neurochirurgica
Published in: Acta Neurochirurgica 4/2012

01-04-2012 | Experimental research

The subdiaphragmatic cistern: historic and radioanatomic findings

Authors: Antonio Di Ieva, Manfred Tschabitscher, Christian Matula, Fuminari Komatsu, Mika Komatsu, Giovanni Colombo, Camillo Sherif, Renato J. Galzio

Published in: Acta Neurochirurgica | Issue 4/2012

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Abstract

Background

In the past, sporadic demonstrations of the existence of a subarachnoid subdiaphragmatic cistern have been published. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical characteristics of the subdiaphragmatic cistern of the pituitary gland.

Methods

After a complete review of the literature published on the topic, we report anatomical observations of the subdiaphragmatic cistern and its relationship to the pituitary gland and to the chiasmatic cistern. Ten cadaveric heads were studied using different techniques and surgical methods (plastination, plastic casts of the subarachnoid spaces, microscopic and transsphenoidal endoscopic approaches). Moreover, 3-T magnetic resonance images of ten healthy volunteers were analyzed to investigate the presence and anatomical variability of the subdiaphragmatic cistern.

Results

By means of our qualitative radioanatomic study, we found that the roof of the subdiaphragmatic cistern is formed by the diaphragma sellae, the floor by the superior face of the pituitary gland, the lateral walls by the arachnoidea extending laterally through the medial walls of the cavernous sinus, and the medial walls by the infundibular stem. The subdiaphragmatic cistern communicates by means of the ostium of the diaphragm with the chiasmatic cistern.

Conclusion

We confirmed the existence of the subdiaphragmatic cistern. The overused term “suprasellar cistern” refers more to a complex of cisterns, formed by the subdiaphragmatic cistern, below the diaphragma sella, and by the chiasmatic cistern, above it, in direct communication with the lamina terminalis and carotid cisterns.
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Metadata
Title
The subdiaphragmatic cistern: historic and radioanatomic findings
Authors
Antonio Di Ieva
Manfred Tschabitscher
Christian Matula
Fuminari Komatsu
Mika Komatsu
Giovanni Colombo
Camillo Sherif
Renato J. Galzio
Publication date
01-04-2012
Publisher
Springer Vienna
Published in
Acta Neurochirurgica / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 0001-6268
Electronic ISSN: 0942-0940
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-011-1220-1

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