Mapping the circle of Trolard: A holistic view of its role in neurosurgical practice, anatomical perspectives and clinical applications

Introduction

An anatomical structure that resembles the circle of Willis, the circle of Trolard is generated in the basal cistern and travels around the midbrain in a roundabout manner, passing adjacent to the lateral side of the cerebral peduncle.

Research question

The primary objective of this article is to provide neurosurgeons with a comprehensive understanding of Trolard's circle, emphasizing its anatomical features and clinical significance.

Material and methods

A comprehensive evaluation of the available literature pertaining to the venous circle of Trolard was conducted by conducting searches in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. In the present overview, the terminologies “venous circle of Trolard,” “basal venous circle,” and “basal vein of Rosenthal” were employed.

Results

Upon doing a comprehensive examination of the existing literature and primary sources pertaining to the venous circle of Trolard, it was discovered that an only six studies had been conducted on this particular subject matter. We made observations regarding the anatomical characteristics of the subject and engaged in a discussion regarding their prospective applications and importance within the context of neurosurgical procedures.

Discussion and conclusion

The scarcity of research on these structures is attributed to the challenges associated in studying them in vivo. Through directing focus towards these structures, our aim is to stimulate further investigation into their potential involvement in a range of neurological and neurosurgical disorders.