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Introduction: Meritocracy, a concept revered as the cornerstone of fairness and equal opportunity, is critically examined in the context of neurosurgery. This article challenges the notion that success in this demanding field is solely determined by individual abilities and effort. It reveals that factors such as background, gender, and socioeconomic status significantly influence one's career trajectory. By investigating how these systemic barriers impact admissions to neurosurgical training programs and professional advancement, the paper underscores the complexity of meritocracy in neurosurgery, suggesting that the meritocratic ideal is more nuanced and influenced by external variables than commonly believed. Results: Certain universities deemed elite offer a curriculum divergent from that of their counterparts in low and middle-income countries. Students at these "elite" institutions gain exposure to new technologies and research incentives, which brings us to the realm of research. Remarkably, 75% of articles originating from developed nations account for just 25% of traumatic brain injury cases. This disparity highlights a significant research imbalance, and the common refrain underscores the need to bolster research capabilities in low-income countries. For neurosurgeons in the developing world, engaging in research often becomes a luxury due to multifaceted challenges. Financial barriers, including publication costs and paywalls for accessing articles, pose significant hurdles. Comparing salaries between countries underscores the glaring divide according to "Neurosurgeon Salary" in 2024. Neurosurgeons in the United States receive a median salary of $412,000 dollars per year, compared to $13,200 dollars in Latin America, as of June 2023. Given such incongruities, the prospect of even attending conferences or workshops abroad remains difficult for neurosurgeons from developing nations. Research isn't cast aside due to a lack of interest but due to resource limitations. The present landscape demands reconsideration. Conclusion: We underscore the journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future in neurosurgery as not just a goal, but a dynamic process fuelled by resilience, collaboration, and a commitment to diversity. The narrative promotes a collective endeavour to dismantle barriers and embrace innovation, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, cross-institutional collaboration, and the amplification of underrepresented voices.
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The coincidence in a patient of Hemifacial Spasm and Trigeminal Neuralgia is not frequent. A case is presented with the objective of showing this association due to the abnormal activation of the Trigemino-Facial Reflex. A 55-year-old woman with an 8-year history of left-sided hemifacial spasm and typical trigeminal pain in the ipsilateral V1 and V2 territory. The physical examination shows spasms in the left hemiface, with reproduction of intense pain upon sensory stimulation of the skin on the forehead and upper dental arch. The MRI showed a vessel in intimate contact with the entrance area of ââthe left trigeminal nerve. A left retrosigmoid approach was performed. First, the entrance area of ââthe trigeminal nerve was accessed, finding a clear vascular conflict, which was isolated with Teflon. Then, the trajectory was changed and the exit zone of the facial nerve was accessed, and no type of vascular conflict was identified. The patient presented complete resolution of the Hemifacial Spasm and the associated trigeminal pain. The analysis of this case allows us to conclude that during microvascular decompression of the Facial Nerve, if frank proximal compression is not evident, the Trigeminofacial structural relationship must be taken into account, making it necessary to explore the Trigeminal Nerve.
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Large meningiomas extending through the middle cranial fossa, posterior fossa, and foramen magnum (FM) represent a surgical challenge even for experienced skull base surgeons.1 Although decompression may be necessary for offering clinical improvement, surgical risks may involve cranial nerves and vascular injury. We present a case of a sphenocavernopetroclival-FM meningioma, with our surgical plan extending through the sphenoid region, FM, and posterior fossa to the anterior arch of C1. We designed a 2-day, 3-stage surgical strategy to achieve complete surgical resection for offering better long-term prognosis and satisfactory postoperative neurological outcome.2 The surgical plan was completed in 2 days of surgery: the first day the extradural part for achieving optimal tumor exposure and the second day the intradural part to tackle tumor resection in a 3-stage fashion. The first stage consisted in a far lateral approach to access the lower portion of the tumor extending from the FM to the spinal region; the second stage focused on the portion of the tumor extending through the inferior clivus and the petroclival region; and the third stage consisted in resecting the tumor extending from the petroclival region to the sphenoid region.3 A near-total resection was achieved, with a very small tumor remnant observed at the level of the tentorium on postoperative MRI, which was treated with radiosurgery owing to the young age of the patient. This is a 3-dimensional operative video showing the surgical steps of the tumor resection. The patient consented to the procedure and to the publication of her image.
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Bulbo Raquídeo , Microcirugia , Humanos , Bulbo Raquídeo/cirugía , Bulbo Raquídeo/diagnóstico por imagen , Microcirugia/métodos , Hemangioma Cavernoso del Sistema Nervioso Central/cirugía , Hemangioma Cavernoso del Sistema Nervioso Central/diagnóstico por imagen , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos/métodos , Imagenología Tridimensional/métodos , Neoplasias del Tronco Encefálico/cirugía , Neoplasias del Tronco Encefálico/diagnóstico por imagen , Masculino , FemeninoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The pterional approach is the workhorse of skull-base neurosurgery, which allows virtual access to any intracranial lesion around the circle of Willis. Preserving the frontotemporal branch of the facial nerve and conserving the temporal muscle's symmetry are fundamental objectives besides the access that can be obtained through this versatile neurosurgical technique. This manuscript proposes a subgaleal preinterfascial dissection, a novel hybrid technique that provides advantages of previously described temporal muscle dissection techniques while preserving the integrity of facial nerve branches and the unobstructed broad pterional region. We describe the subgaleal preinterfascial dissection as a safe and simple to technique to achieve preservation of the facial nerve frontal branches during anterolateral approaches. METHODS: Two cadaveric heads were skillfully dissected and studied to perform a proper subgaleal preinterfascial dissection on both sides of each cadaver. Afterward, the same technique was employed in 108 patients during a pterional approach for different neurosurgical diseases, with a postoperative follow-up of 6 months. RESULTS: None of the 108 patients presented postoperative frontotemporal branch palsy during postoperative follow-up. Likewise, no complications related to the proposed technique were present. CONCLUSIONS: The subgaleal preinterfascial dissection is a reliable, safe technique that may be employed during a pterional approach with an unobstructed surgical view and excellent cosmetic and functional results, preserving the frontotemporal branch of the facial nerve.
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Craneotomía , Nervio Facial , Humanos , Nervio Facial/cirugía , Nervio Facial/anatomía & histología , Craneotomía/métodos , Cabeza/cirugía , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos , Disección , CadáverRESUMEN
The present cases were used to investigate the reliability of the intraoperative decibel meter as an objective method of clipping efficiency in cerebral aneurysm surgery and to assess the impact of this method on the surgical procedure itself. Different methodologies have been developed and applied to directly or indirectly evaluate the placement of a clip, for example, intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA), intraoperative micro-Doppler ultrasonography, and, more recently, indocyanine green (ICG). We included two patients with a previously non-treated unruptured brain aneurysm. In both patients, intraoperative micro-Doppler was used in combination with a decibel meter app. Here, we present the cases of two patients. In patient one, the pre-clipping average sound level/equivalent continuous sound pressure level (Avg/Leq) was 96.7 dB, while the post-clipping Avg/Leq was 94.4 dB, indicating a reduction in sound level after clipping. Similarly, the pre-clipping time-weighted average noise level (TWA) was 1.2%, while the post-clipping TWA was 0.5%, indicating a decrease in exposure dose after clipping. In patient two, the average sound level for the post-clipping measurement (94.2 dB) was higher than the pre-clipping measurement (93.5 dB), but the difference was not statistically significant. These cases indicate the potential for using sound measurements as a reliable indicator of adequate aneurysm occlusion during clipping procedures. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
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INTRODUCTION: The most frequent pathology of the fifth cranial nerve is trigeminal neuralgia (TN), characterized by unilateral orofacial pain, of a paroxysmal nature, with distribution in one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve. The main objective of this work is to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of neurovascular decompressive surgery (NVD). METHODS: Retrospective analytical study, patients operated on for NVD by TN (n: 155), from January 2006 - 2022, using a retrosigmoid approach and clinicalradiological follow-up, whose intraoperative recording was in 3D system (n: 42). RESULTS: 83.3% (n=35) presented classic NT and 16.7% (n = 7) idiopathic. The right side prevailed with 59.5% (n = 25) and paroxysmal pain with 81% (n=34) of representation in the entire series. Compression of arterial origin represented 76.2% (n: 32) of the cases, the superior cerebellar artery represented the first cause of neurovascular compression (NVC) in 52.4% (n: 22) in the exit zone of the trigeminal nerve. The validity of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol selected for this series was analyzed; evidencing a high sensitivity of MRI with 97%, and a specificity of 86%. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity and specificity of highdefinition MRI studies and with special protocols for the evaluation of TN, as gold standard paraclinical, were presented. The DNV offered safe results, a high percentage of the patients were described as successful. The 3D recording allowed retrospective analysis with a vision identical to that of the surgeon during the intraoperative period, the type of NVC.
Introducción: La afección más frecuente del V nervio craneal es la neuralgia del trigémino (NT), se caracteriza por dolor orofacial unilateral, paroxístico, distribuyéndose en una o más divisiones del nervio trigémino. El objetivo de presente trabajo es demostrar la eficacia y seguridad de la cirugía descompresiva neurovascular (DNV). Métodos: Estudio analítico retrospectivo, pacientes intervenidos para DNV por NT (n: 155), desde enero de 2006 - 2022, mediante un abordaje retrosigmoideo y seguimiento clínico-radiológico, cuyo registro intraoperatorio fue en sistema 3D (n: 42). Resultados: 83.3% (n=35) presentó NT clásica y 16.7% (n = 7) idiopática. La mayoría con afectación del lado derecho 59.5% (n = 25) y el dolor paroxístico con 81% (n = 34). La compresión de origen arterial representó 76.2% (n: 32) de los casos, la arteria cerebelosa superior representó la primera causa de compresión neurovascular (CNV) en un 52.4% (n:22) en la zona de salida del nervio trigémino. Se analizó la validez del protocolo de resonancia magnética (RM) seleccionado para esta serie; evidenciando una alta sensibilidad de la RM con 97%, y una especificidad del 86%. Conclusión: Se demostró la sensibilidad y especificidad de los estudios de resonancia magnética (RM) de alta definición y con protocolos especiales para la evaluación de la NT, como paraclínico estándar de oro. La DNV ofreció resultados seguros, un alto porcentaje de los pacientes se calificaron como exitosos. El registro 3D permitió analizar en retrospectiva con una visión idéntica a la del cirujano durante el intraoperatorio, el tipo de CNV.
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Neuralgia del Trigémino , Humanos , Neuralgia del Trigémino/diagnóstico por imagen , Neuralgia del Trigémino/cirugía , Neuralgia del Trigémino/etiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Nervio Trigémino/cirugía , Nervio Trigémino/patología , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Descompresión/efectos adversosRESUMEN
Resumen Introducción : La afección más frecuente del V nervio craneal es la neuralgia del trigémino (NT), se caracteriza por dolor orofacial unilateral, paroxístico, distribuyén dose en una o más divisiones del nervio trigémino. El objetivo de presente trabajo es demostrar la eficacia y seguridad de la cirugía descompresiva neurovascular (DNV). Métodos : Estudio analítico retrospectivo, pacientes intervenidos para DNV por NT (n: 155), desde enero de 2006 - 2022, mediante un abordaje retrosigmoideo y seguimiento clínico-radiológico, cuyo registro intraope ratorio fue en sistema 3D (n: 42). Resultados : 83.3% (n=35) presentó NT clásica y 16.7% (n = 7) idiopática. La mayoría con afectación del lado derecho 59.5% (n = 25) y el dolor paroxístico con 81% (n = 34). La compresión de origen arterial representó 76.2% (n: 32) de los casos, la arteria cerebelosa superior representó la primera causa de compresión neurovas cular (CNV) en un 52.4% (n:22) en la zona de salida del nervio trigémino. Se analizó la validez del protocolo de resonancia magnética (RM) seleccionado para esta serie; evidenciando una alta sensibilidad de la RM con 97%, y una especificidad del 86%. Conclusión : Se demostró la sensibilidad y especi ficidad de los estudios de resonancia magnética (RM) de alta definición y con protocolos especiales para la evaluación de la NT, como paraclínico estándar de oro. La DNV ofreció resultados seguros, un alto porcentaje de los pacientes se calificaron como exitosos. El registro 3D permitió analizar en retrospectiva con una visión idéntica a la del cirujano durante el intraoperatorio, el tipo de CNV.
Abstract Introduction : The most frequent pathology of the fifth cranial nerve is trigeminal neuralgia (TN), characterized by unilateral orofacial pain, of a paroxysmal nature, with distribution in one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve. The main objective of this work is to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of neurovascular decompressive surgery (NVD). Methods : Retrospective analytical study, patients operated on for NVD by TN (n: 155), from January 2006 - 2022, using a retrosigmoid approach and clinical-radiological follow-up, whose intraoperative recording was in 3D system (n: 42). Results : 83.3% (n=35) presented classic NT and 16.7% (n = 7) idiopathic. The right side prevailed with 59.5% (n = 25) and paroxysmal pain with 81% (n=34) of rep resentation in the entire series. Compression of arte rial origin represented 76.2% (n: 32) of the cases, the superior cerebellar artery represented the first cause of neurovascular compression (NVC) in 52.4% (n: 22) in the exit zone of the trigeminal nerve. The validity of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol selected for this series was analyzed; evidencing a high sensitivity of MRI with 97%, and a specificity of 86%. Conclusion : The sensitivity and specificity of high-definition MRI studies and with special protocols for the evaluation of TN, as gold standard paraclinical, were presented. The DNV offered safe results, a high percent age of the patients were described as successful. The 3D recording allowed retrospective analysis with a vision identical to that of the surgeon during the intraoperative period, the type of NVC.
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Introducción: La tercerventriculostomía endoscópica (TVE) es una técnica quirúrgica ampliamente reconocida para el tratamiento de la hidrocefalia obstructiva. Al igual que otras técnicas para el manejo de la hidrocefalia, la protocolización del manejo intra y peri-operatorio deviene en mejores resultados. Sin embargo, no existe en la literatura en castellano alguna publicación que exponga en detalle un protocolo de trabajo de TVE. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar los resultados tras la aplicación de nuestro protocolo. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó una descripción del protocolo para TVE prequirúrgico, intraoperatorio y post-operatorio. Se realizó un análisis prospectivo de una serie de casos. Resultados: Un detallado protocolo fue presentado. Un total de 70 pacientes fueron incluidos para su análisis. La tasa de éxito del procedimiento fue del 82.43%. Hubo una mejoría en la escala de Karnofsky tras la TVE [media de 26.22 puntos (IC 95% 13,77 -36,92)]; siendo esta estadísticamente significativa (p=<0,001). Conclusión: La TVE demostró ser un procedimiento seguro y efectivo para el tratamiento de la hidrocefalia obstructiva. El protocolizar el procedimiento quirúrgico demostró una alta tasa de éxito en nuestra cohorte de pacientes, comparando con los resultados de la literatura internacional
Background. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a worldwide accepted technique to treat obstructive hydrocephalus. As per many other techniques to treat hydrocephalus, protocols had improved the overall results and reduced the complications rate. However, there are no protocols written in Spanish literature, that illustrate in detailed a step by step on how to perform and follow up patients with ETV.The aim of this study is to present the results after the application of our protocol. Methods. A protocol with surgical technique, management and follow up for ETV in adults was written and a retrospective analysis of several cases was presented. Results. A detailed protocol was presented. Forty-three patients included in the protocol were analysed after ETV. The success rate of the procedure was 82.43%. There was a statistically significant improvement of a mean 26.22 points (IC 95% 13.77 -36.92) in the Karnofsky scale after the ETV (p=<0.001). Conclusion: ETV has shown to be a safe and effective procedure to treat obstructive hydrocephalus. The protocolization of the procedure proved a high success rate in our cohort of patients, comparable with the international literature results
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Tercer Ventrículo , NeuroendoscopíaRESUMEN
Epidermoid cysts represent roughly 1% of all intracranial tumors. They are frequently located in the cerebellopontine angle but rarely extend to the supratentorial brain. Epilepsy is an extremely uncommon manifestation of this neoplasm. We suggest the surgical management of a 35-year-old male who presented with a six-month history of intractable temporal lobe epilepsy. His seizures were characterized by a focal onset in the form of déjà vu experiences, followed by a secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Imaging revealed a heterogeneous cystic mass in the right cerebellopontine angle, extending supratentorially causing a mass effect on the mesial temporal region. Gross total resection was achieved through a combined subtemporal-retrosigmoid approach. Histopathology revealed an epidermoid cyst. The patient was entirely seizure-free at the three-month follow-up. Epidermoid cysts may present with epileptic seizures. Seizure freedom can be achieved with surgical management in most cases. The patient's symptoms, imaging findings, and epileptogenic focus must be considered to select the appropriate surgical strategy.
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Background: Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is one of the main causes of intractable epilepsy, which is amendable by surgery. During the surgical management of FCD, the understanding of its epileptogenic foci, interconnections, and spreading pathways is crucial for attaining a good postoperative seizure free outcome. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 54 FCD patients operated in Federal Center of Neurosurgery, Tyumen, Russia. The electroencephalogram findings were correlated to the involved brain anatomical areas. Subsequently, we analyzed the main white matter tracts implicated during the epileptogenic spreading in some representative cases. We prepared 10 human hemispheres using Klinger's method and dissected them through the fiber dissection technique. Results: The clinical results were displayed and the main white matter tracts implicated in the seizure spread were described in 10 patients. Respective FCD foci, interconnections, and ectopic epileptogenic areas in each patient were discussed. Conclusion: A strong understanding of the main implicated tracts in epileptogenic spread in FCD patient remains cardinal for neurosurgeons dealing with epilepsy. To achieve meaningful seizure freedom, despite the focal lesion resection, the interconnections and tracts should be understood and somehow disconnected to stop the spreading.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Volumetric analysis of the working corridors of the interdural approach to the Meckel cave may lead to a selection of routes which are anatomically more advantageous for trigeminal schwannoma resection. The herein-reported anatomic study quantitively compares the infratrochlear (IT) transcavernous, anteromedial (AM), and anterolateral (AL) corridors, highlighting their feasibility, indications, advantages, and limitations. METHODS: Anatomic boundaries and depth of Meckel cave, porus trigeminus, IT transcavernous, AM, and AL corridors were identified in 20 formalin-fixed latex-injected cadaveric heads and were subsequently measured. The corridor areas and volumes were derived accordingly. Each opening angle was also calculated. Angles and volumes were compared using analysis of variance. Statistical significance was set at a P -value <.05. RESULTS: The IT transcavernous corridor volume was greater than that of the AM and AL. The opening angle of the AM middle fossa triangle was wider than the other 2. CONCLUSION: The IT corridor can be advantageous for Meckel cave schwannomas invading the cavernous sinus and those with a notable extension into the posterior fossa because the transcavernous approach maximizes the working space into the retrosellar area. The AM middle fossa corridor is strategic in schwannomas confined to the Meckel cave with a minor extension into the posterior fossa. It raises the chance of total resection with a single approach involving the porus trigeminus opening.
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Seno Cavernoso , Neoplasias de los Nervios Craneales , Neurilemoma , Humanos , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos , Seno Cavernoso/cirugía , Neurilemoma/diagnóstico por imagen , Neurilemoma/cirugía , Neoplasias de los Nervios Craneales/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias de los Nervios Craneales/cirugíaRESUMEN
Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography facilitates maximal safe resection and optimizes planning to avoid injury during subcortical dissection along descending motor pathways (DMPs). We provide an affordable, safe, and timely algorithm for preoperative DTI motor reconstruction for gliomas adjacent to DMPs. Methods: Preoperative DTI reconstructions were extracted from a prospectively acquired registry of glioma resections adjacent to DMPs. The surgeries were performed over a 7-year period. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were extracted from patients' electronic medical records. Results: Nineteen patients (12 male) underwent preoperative tractography between January 1, 2013, and May 31, 2020. The average age was 44.5 years (range, 19-81 years). A complete radiological resection was achieved in nine patients, a subtotal resection in five, a partial resection in three, and a biopsy in two. Histopathological diagnoses included 10 patients with high-grade glioma and nine with low-grade glioma. A total of 16 perirolandic locations (10 frontal and six frontoparietal) were recorded, as well as two in the insula and one in the basal ganglia. In 9 patients (47.3%), the lesion was in the dominant hemisphere. The median preoperative and postoperative Karnofsky Performance Scores were 78 and 80, respectively. Motor function was unchanged or improved over time in 15 cases (78.9%). Conclusion: This protocol of DTI reconstruction for glioma removal near the DMP shows good results in low-term neurological functional outcomes.
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Background: The anterior wall of the cavernous sinus (CS) represents an important landmark for endoscopic surgery that although mentioned before, no precise anatomical boundaries have been described. We describe the anatomical landmarks that delimit the anterior wall of the CS, emphasizing its importance as a reference for accessing the CS through endoscopic approaches. Methods: Six adult cadaveric heads fixed with formaldehyde and injected with colored silicone were studied. In all the heads, an endonasal endoscopic approach to the sellar and parasellar regions was performed and the anatomy of the anterior wall of the CS was studied. Results: Four consistent anatomical landmarks that mark the limits of the anterior wall of the CS were found in all the specimens: anterosuperiorly, the lateral opticocarotid recess; posterosuperiorly, the medial opticocarotid recess; anteroinferiorly, the inferior part of the maxillary strut; and posteroinferiorly, the superolateral angle of the clival recess. Conclusion: It is of paramount importance to recognize the anatomical landmarks that define the limits of the anterior wall of the CS to achieve a safe access to this so complex region.
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Gross-total resection of foramen magnum meningiomas remains the gold standard of treatment and should be performed whenever possible. The transcondylar approach (and its variations) represents the most used approach for meningiomas located in the lateral or anterior borders of the foramen magnum. Endoscopic transclivus approaches represent a useful option in selected cases of anterior midline foramen magnum meningiomas, to be performed in centers with advanced experience in endoscopic skull base surgery, with the caveats of increased risk of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak. Alternatively, radiosurgery remains an option for well-selected cases, especially for the management of asymptomatic patients with small enlarging tumors. Advances in molecular profiling, as well as genetic analysis, may guide adjuvant treatment.
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Background: Gliomas represent almost 30% of all primary brain tumors and account for 80% of malignant primary ones. In the last two decades, significant progress has been made in understanding gliomas' molecular origin and development. These advancements have demonstrated a remarkable improvement in classification systems based on mutational markers, which contribute paramount information in addition to traditional histology-based classification. Methods: We performed a narrative review of the literature including each molecular marker described for adult diffuse gliomas used in the World Health Organization (WHO) central nervous system 5. Results: The 2021 WHO classification of diffuse gliomas encompasses many molecular aspects considered in the latest proposed hallmarks of cancer. The outcome of patients with diffuse gliomas relies on their molecular behavior and consequently, to determine clinical outcomes for these patients, molecular profiling should be mandatory. At least, the following molecular markers are necessary for the current most accurate classification of these tumors: (1) isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) IDH-1 mutation, (2) 1p/19q codeletion, (3) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/B deletion, (4) telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutation, (5) α-thalassemia/ mental retardation syndrome X-linked loss, (6) epidermal growth factor receptor amplification, and (7) tumor protein P53 mutation. These molecular markers have allowed the differentiation of multiple variations of the same disease, including the differentiation of distinct molecular Grade 4 gliomas. This could imply different clinical outcomes and possibly impact targeted therapies in the years to come. Conclusion: Physicians face different challenging scenarios according to the clinical features of patients with gliomas. In addition to the current advances in clinical decision-making, including radiological and surgical techniques, understanding the disease's molecular pathogenesis is paramount to improving the benefits of its clinical treatments. This review aims to describe straightforwardly the most remarkable aspects of the molecular pathogenesis of diffuse gliomas.
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Introduction: Since the introduction of the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) to skull base, the nasal phase has been a true challenge as it represents the moment of definition of the corridor, thus defining the instruments maneuverability at tumor removal phase. The longstanding cooperation between ENT and neurosurgeons have provided the possibility of creating adequate corridor with maximal respect toward nasal structures and mucosa. This sparked the idea of entering the sella as thieves, so we named "Guanti Bianchi" technique a lesser invasive variation of the approach for the removal of selected pituitary adenoma. Research Question: The purpose of this study is to present the preliminary results of "Guanti Bianchi" technique. Material and Methods: Data from 17 patients undergoing "Guanti Bianchi" technique (out of 235 standard EEA) at our center, were retrospectively analysed. ASK Nasal-12, a quality-of-life instrument developed specifically to assess patient perception of nasal morbidity, was administered pre- and postoperatively. Results: 10 (59%) patients were men and 7 (41%) women. The mean age was 67.7 (range 35-88). The average duration of the surgical procedure was 71.17 minutes (range 45-100). GTR was achieved in all patients, no postoperative complications were observed. Baseline ASK Nasal-12 was near normal in all patients, 3/17 (17,6%) experienced transitory very mild symptoms without any worsening at 3 and 6 months. Discussion and Conclusions: This minimally invasive technique does not require turbinectomy or carving of the nasoseptal flap, it alters the nasal mucosa as little as necessary, and it is quick and easy to perform.
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BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) neuroanatomical knowledge is vital in neurosurgery. Technological advances improved 3D anatomical perception, but they are usually expensive and not widely available. The aim of the present study was to provide a detailed description of the photo-stacking technique for high-resolution neuroanatomical photography and 3D modeling. METHODS: The photo-stacking technique was described in a step-by-step approach. The time for image acquisition, file conversion, processing, and final production was measured using 2 processing methods. The total number and file size of images are presented. Measures of central tendency and dispersion report the measured values. RESULTS: Ten models were used in both methods achieving 20 models with high-definition images. The mean number of acquired images was 40.6 (14-67), image acquisition time 51.50 ± 18.8 s, file conversion time 250 ± 134.6 s, processing time 50.46 ± 21.46 s and 41.97 ± 20.84 s, and 3D reconstruction time was 4.29 ± 0.74 s and 3.89 ± 0.60 s for methods B and C, respectively. The mean file size of RAW files is 1010 ± 452 megabyte (MB) and 101.06 ± 38.09 MB for Joint Photographic Experts Group files after conversion. The mean size of the final image means size is 71.9 ± 0.126 MB, and the mean file size of the 3D model means is 37.4 ± 0.516 MB for both methods. The total equipment used was less expensive than other reported systems. CONCLUSIONS: The photo-stacking technique is a simple and inexpensive method to create 3D models and high-definition images that could prove valuable in neuroanatomy training.