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6232559 
Journal Article 
A Laboratory Manual for Stepwise Cerebral White Matter Fiber Dissection 
Koutsarnakis, C; Liakos, F; Kalyvas, AV; Sakas, DE; Stranjalis, G 
2015 
1 
World Neurosurgery
ISSN: 1878-8750
EISSN: 1878-8769 
84 
2 
483-493 
English 
25916179 
WOS:000359324900052 
OBJECTIVE: White matter fiber dissection is an important method in acquiring a thorough neuroanatomic knowledge for surgical practice. Previous studies have definitely improved our understanding of intrinsic brain anatomy and emphasized on the significance of this technique in modern neurosurgery. However, current literature lacks a complete and concentrated laboratory guide about the entire dissection procedure. Hence, our primary objective is to introduce a detailed laboratory manual for cerebral white matter dissection by highlighting consecutive dissection steps, and to stress important technical comments facilitating this complex procedure.

METHODS: Twenty adult, formalin-fixed cerebral hemispheres were included in the study. Ten specimens were dissected in the lateromedial and 10 in the mediolateral direction, respectively, using the fiber dissection technique and the microscope.

RESULTS: Eleven and 8 consecutive and distinctive dissection steps are recommended for the lateromedial and mediolateral dissection procedures, respectively. Photographs highlighting various anatomic landmarks accompany every step. Technical recommendations, facilitating the dissection process, are also indicated.

CONCLUSIONS: The fiber dissection technique, although complex and time consuming, offers a three-dimensional knowledge of intrinsic brain anatomy and architecture, thus improving both the quality of microneurosurgery and the patient's standard of care. The present anatomic study provides a thorough dissection manual to those who study brain anatomy using this technique. 
Dissection manual; Fiber dissection technique; White matter anatomy; White matter dissection