Transuncal Selective Amygdalohippocampectomy by an Inferolateral Preseptal Endoscopic Approach Through Inferior Eyelid Conjunctival Incision: An Anatomic Study.

BACKGROUND: Transorbital endoscopic approaches have been described for pathologies of anterior and middle fossae. Standard lateral orbitotomy gives access to mesial temporal lobe, but the axis of work is partially obscured by the temporal pole and working corridor is limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of an inferolateral orbitotomy to provide a more direct corridor to perform a transuncal selective amygdalohippocampectomy. METHODS: Three adult cadaveric specimens were used for a total of 6 dissections. A step-by-step description and illustration of the transuncal corridor for a selective amygdalohippocampectomy were performed using the inferolateral orbitotomy through an inferior eyelid conjunctival incision. The anatomic landmarks were demonstrated in detail. Orbitotomies and angles of work were measured from computed tomography scans, and the area of resection was illustrated by postdissection MRI. RESULTS: Inferior eyelid conjunctival incision was made for exposure of the inferior orbital rim. Inferolateral transorbital approach was performed to access the transuncal corridor. Endoscopic selective amygdalohippocampectomy was performed through the entorhinal cortex without damage to the temporal neocortex or Meyer's loop. The mean horizontal diameter of the osteotomy was 14.4 mm, and the vertical one was 13.6 mm. The mean angles of work were 65° and 35.5° in the axial and sagittal planes, respectively. Complete amygdalohippocampectomy was achieved in all 6 dissections. CONCLUSION: Transuncal selective amygdalohippocampectomy was feasible in cadaveric specimens using the inferolateral transorbital endoscopic approach avoiding damage to the temporal neocortex and Meyer's loop. The inferior eyelid conjunctival incision may result in an excellent cosmetic outcome.

Tentorial peeling during combined petrosal approach: a cadaveric dissection.

BACKGROUND: The combined petrosal approach is an excellent method to access the petroclival region but has the inherent risk of injury to the temporal lobe and Vein of Labbé. Tentorial peeling has the potential to largely eliminate these risks during the classic combined transpetrosal approach. METHODS: Anatomical dissection of three adult injected non-formalin fixed cadaveric heads was performed. Combined petrosal approach with tentorial peeling was completed. A tentorial incision just superior and parallel to the superior petrosal sinus was made to enable peeling of the tentorium into two layers, the posterior fossa tentorial leaf (PFTL), and the temporal tentorial leaf (TTL). RESULTS: Tentorial peeling clearly exposed the continuity between the temporal dura and the TTL as well as the continuity between the presigmoid dura and the PFTL. This enabled the creation of a large dural flap extending to the tentorial incisura, providing wide access to the petroclival region without any exposure of the temporal lobe and/or basal temporal veins. Techniques to create the dural flap without trochlear nerve injury were also explored. CONCLUSION: The technique of tentorial peeling into two distinct layers has the potential to reduce the morbidity associated with temporal lobe retraction and venous injury. Further cadaveric studies and surgical case series are needed to validate this important surgical nuance in transpetrosal approaches.

Surgical Resection of a Sylvian Arteriovenous Malformation.

Sylvian arteriovenous malformations (sAVMs) are rare and account for approximately 8%-11% of all intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).1 Because of their proximity to eloquent structures such as the motor speech center, insular cortex, and internal capsule, microsurgical resection of sAVMs remains a challenge. Several classifications have already been suggested for sAVMs, such as Sugita and Yasargil.1,2 It is well established that for low-grade AVMs, results of the microsurgical resection are excellent and tend to favor surgery,1-3 but in high-grade AVM, a multimodal assessment is necessary for formulating treatment strategies.1 In Video 1, we demonstrate the surgical resection of a ruptured sylvian temporal AVM. This AVM was localized in the superior surface of the temporal lobe, and its nidus was just beneath the cortical surface of this lobe. Because it was 5.1 cm at its largest diameter, had a deep drainage vein, and was localized adjacent to the Wernicke area, we classified it as a Spetzler-Martin grade IV AVM.4 Despite the high-grade AVM, microsurgical treatment was the choice in this ruptured AVM and there was no increase in morbidity.

Endoscopic endonasal approach to the mesial temporal lobe: anatomical study and clinical considerations for a selective amygdalohippocampectomy.

BACKGROUND: Selective amygdalohippocampectomy (AH) is a surgical option for patients with medically intractable seizures from mesial temporal lobe pathology. The transcranial route is considered the best method to achieve this goal. However, the standard approach through the neocortex is still invasive. The risks can be minimized if the mesial temporal lobe is resected while preserving the lateral temporal lobe and the Meyer's loop. This study explores the feasibility of selective AH by endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) in cadaveric specimens. METHODS: The endoscopic anatomy of the mesial temporal lobe and the feasibility of a successful selective AH were studied in six hemispheres from three injected human cadavers. Quantitative analyses on the extent of resection and angles of exposure were performed based on CT and MRI studies of pre- and post-selective AH and measurements taken during dissections. RESULTS: The EEA V1-V2 corridor provided a direct and logical line of access to the mesial temporal lobe, following its natural trajectory with no brain retraction and minimal exposure of the pterygopalatine fossa. The components of the mesial temporal lobe were resected just as selectively and easily as the transcranial route, but without compromising the structures of the lateral temporal lobe or the Meyer's loop. CONCLUSIONS: The EEA V1-V2 corridor demonstrated its selective resectability and accessibility of the mesial temporal lobe in cadaveric specimens. The clinical value of this approach should be explored responsibly by a surgeon with both competent microsurgical skills and experiences in EEA.

Intraoperative Ultrasound Navigation with Doppler Function to Guide Arteriovenous Malformation Resection: 3-Dimensional Operative Video.

Intraoperative ultrasound navigation was initially introduced in the neurosurgical field for brain tumor surgery and was then extended to arteriovenous malformation surgery with good success. This tool provides real-time intraoperative images.1 Moreover, Doppler ultrasound permits early identification of feeding arteries and supplies the surgeon with a global impression of the flow dynamics.2 A further use of doppler is to check for residual nidus. Other advantages are the capacity to identify intracerebral hemorrhage.2 In this video, we demonstrate the case of a 15-yr-old patient who presented intracranial hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of left frontoparietal hematoma associated with an image suggestive of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Arteriography confirmed the diagnosis of AVM fed by branches of the anterior cerebral and superficial drainage for the superior sagittal sinus. The patient was placed in dorsal decubitus with his head turned to the right and a left parietal-frontal craniotomy was performed. After the dura mater was opened, cortical mapping was performed to locate the motor and sensory cortex. After the mapping, ultrasound with doppler was performed to locate the AVM and the hematoma and determine its relation to the motor and sensory cortex. At the end of the surgery, doppler ultrasound was used again to ensure complete resection of the AVM. Intraoperative Ultrasound navigation with doppler is an inexpensive technology that can be used in the treatment of AVMs, especially in the subcortex, as it assists in locating the nidus and confirms its complete resection.

Safety and Efficacy of Surgical Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: The Experience of a Single Brazilian Center.

BACKGROUND: The use of microsurgery for aneurysm clipping has decreased considerably in recent years. This study was conducted to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms even in less-developed countries. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of the medical records of 320 patients with 416 aneurysms treated with microsurgical clipping at a single neurosurgical center in Brazil between 2008 and 2016. We evaluated postoperative outcomes using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at the time of hospital discharge, treatment efficacy by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) performed postoperatively, and mortality. RESULTS: The 320 patients with aneurysms included 228 patients with ruptured aneurysms and 92 with unruptured aneurysms. Overall, 81 (26.3%) had a poor outcome (mRS score >2), and the other 227 (73.4%) had a good outcome. The presence of a ruptured aneurysm was a statistically significant factor for poor outcome (P < 0.001) and mortality (P < 0.015). Giant and large aneurysms were also associated with poor outcome (P = 0.004). When analyzed separately, unruptured aneurysms with poor outcome were only associated with aneurysm size. Among the patients with ruptured aneurysms, those with Hunt and Hess (HH) grade >2 on hospital admission had unfavorable outcomes (P < 0.0001). Among the patients who underwent postoperative DSA, 207 (89.8%) had complete aneurysm occlusion and 24 (10.2%) had residual aneurysms, with reoperation required in 8 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms is an effective and safe method.

Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Anteromedial Temporal Fossa and Mobilization of the Lateral Wall of the Cavernous Sinus Through the Inferior Orbital Fissure and V1-V2 Corridor: An Anatomic Study and Clinical Considerations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify key anatomic landmarks useful in gaining access to the anteromedial temporal region via the corridor formed by the inferior orbital fissure (IOF), the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve (V1), and the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve (V2) via an endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA). METHODS: An anatomic dissection of 6 cadaver heads was performed to confirm the feasibility and applicability of an EEA for accessing the anteromedial temporal region. RESULTS: After middle turbinectomy, the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus was opened, the orbital apex was exposed, and the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus was removed, in sequence. The IOF and the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) were then identified. After opening the foramen rotundum (FR) and removing the bony structure between the FR, V2 was transposed downward. The orbital muscle of Müller was removed. The PPF was mobilized downward exposing the greater wing of the sphenoid bone (GWS). The GWS between V1 and V2 was drilled, therefore exposing the temporal dura. With blunt dissection, the medial temporal dura was peeled away from the cavernous sinus to increase access to the anteromedial temporal region. CONCLUSIONS: The anteromedial temporal fossa was exposed by drilling the V1-V2 triangle corridor via an EEA. Endoscopic endonasal exposure of the anteromedial temporal fossa is feasible and requires limited endonasal work. This approach may be considered as an alternate surgical corridor to the temporomesial lobe that offers the advantages of a direct route with less temporal lobe retraction.

Cerebral Aneurysm in Takayasu's Arteritis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Cerebral aneurysms are rarely observed in patients with Takaysu's arteritis. To our knowledge, this report presents the first case described in Brazil. Hemodynamic stress caused by obstructions of the cervical vessels developes cerebral aneurysms in these patients and they have higher rates of multiple and posterior circulation aneurysms than general population. In the majority of cases, microsurgical treatment is indicated mainly due to changes in the cervical vessels that preclude an endovascular approach.

Aneurismas cerebrais são raramente observados em pacientes com arterite de Takayasu. Este é o primeiro caso desta associação descrito no Brasil. O estresse hemodinâmico causado pelas obstruções vasculares cervicais desenvolve os aneurismas cerebrais nestes pacientes e eles apresentam maiores taxas de aneurismas múltiplos e de acometimento da circulação cerebral posterior. Na maioria dos casos, o tratamento microcirúrgico está indicado pois as alterações anatômicas dos vasos cervicais dificultam a abordagem endovascular.

Impacto de multimorbidade sobre mortalidade em idosos: estudo de coorte pós-hospitalização / Impact of multimorbidity on mortality in elderly: a post-hospitalization cohort study

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a associação entre comorbidades e risco de morte e reinternação em idosos após alta de enfermarias de clínica médica de um hospital universitário. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte de idosos que receberam alta do Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley. Foram utilizados o Índice de Comorbidade de Charlson (ICC) e o ICC associado à idade (ICIC). O desfecho primário foi mortalidade pós-hospitalização e o secundário, ocorrência de reinternações. RESULTADOS: Foram acompanhados 104 pacientes por 40,9±27,6 semanas; 31 (29,8%) morreram e 38 (36,5%) foram reinternados. A curva de sobrevida foi descendente com proporção acumulada de 50%. Óbito relacionou-se com idade (p=0,04), número de prescrições hospitalares (p=0,01), ICC (p=0,001) e ICIC (p=0,001). Não houve associação de ICC com reinternação. CONCLUSÕES: A gravidade das comorbidades em idosos relacionou-se com maior risco de morte pós-hospitalização. Salienta-se a necessidade de se disporem de dados de comorbidade para avaliar cuidados a essa clientela.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between comorbidities and risk of death and readmission after discharge of elderly after discharge from medical wards in a university hospital. METHODS: A cohort study of elderly patients discharged from University Hospital Lauro Wanderley. We used the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the ICC associated with age (ICIC). The primary outcome was post-hospitalization mortality ; the secondary, readmissions. RESULTS: 104 patients were followed for 40.9±27.6 weeks; 31 (29.8%) died and 38 (36.5%) were readmitted. The survival curve was descending with cumulative proportion of 50%. Death was related to age (p = 0.04), number of hospital prescriptions (p=0.01), CHF (p=0.001) and ICIC (p=0.001). There was no association of ICC with rehospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of comorbidities in the elderly was related to increased risk of death after hospitalization. This emphasizes the need to dispose of comorbidity data to evaluate care for these patients.