Predictors of Nasoseptal Flap Use After Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Mass Resection.

OBJECTIVE: The pedicled nasoseptal flap (NSF) is the widely accepted reconstructive technique of choice for repair of larger skull base defects after endoscopic endonasal approaches. There is a dearth of literature examining the decision-making process regarding flap harvest. The objective of this study is to evaluate preoperative characteristics that predict the use of NSF reconstruction after endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of pituitary tumors. METHODS: In this retrospective case control study, demographic, clinical, imaging, and procedural details were gathered on all patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection at a single academic center since January 2009. Characteristics were compared for patients receiving an NSF and those not undergoing NSF repair. A multivariate model that best predicted the use of an NSF was built and a risk score was developed. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-eight patients were included, and 39 underwent NSF placement. Tumor size and anatomic characteristics were the predominant factors that significantly differed between cases and controls. Patients with transsellar tumor extension had 6.3 higher odds of requiring NSF, each millimeter increase in tumor height on coronal T1 magnetic resonance imaging increased the odds of NSF use by 1.2. The flap risk score (FRS) is calculated by adding tumor height (mm) to 6 if there is transsellar extension. At an FRS of >35, the FRS is 87% specific and 85% sensitive for flap placement. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative imaging characteristics can predict NSF use. The FRS can be applied by surgical teams and referring physicians to determine which patients are more likely to undergo NSF repair.

Intervention for elevated intracranial pressure improves success rate after repair of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and considered a manifestation of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Although postoperative acetazolamide and placement of CSF shunt systems are considered valuable interventions for elevated ICP, the impact on recurrence rate remains unclear. The objective of this study was to systematically review evidence from reported literature to evaluate whether postoperative ICP management reduces recurrence rates after primary endoscopic repair. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series and systematic review. METHODS: Demographics, defect location, success rates, and ICP management in spontaneous CSF leak patients were prospectively collected over 8 years. A search was also conducted in PubMed to identify studies reporting cases of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea. RESULTS: Fifty-six articles with nonduplicated data were identified and combined with a prospective series of 108 patients for a total of 679 patients treated for spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea. Average age was 50.4 years with 77% female. Average body mass index was 35.8 kg/m2 . Defects were most commonly located in the sphenoid sinus (n = 334) followed by the ethmoid (n = 318) and the frontal sinus (n = 46). Successful primary repair was 92.82% in patient cohorts where ICP evaluation and intervention with acetazolamide or CSF shunt systems was performed, but was significantly decreased to 81.87% in series with no active management of elevated ICP (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation and intervention for elevated ICP in spontaneous CSF leaks is associated with significantly improved success rates following primary endoscopic repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 127:2011-2016, 2017.

Porcine small intestine submucosal grafts for post-tumor resection orbital reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Removal of the medial orbital wall for sinonasal tumor involvement is required to obtain complete oncologic resection. However, orbital fat herniation can produce significant morbidity, including enophthalmos and diplopia. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate outcomes following use of porcine small intestine submucosa (SIS) grafts for orbital reconstruction following extirpation of sinonasal malignancies. STUDY DESIGN: Case series in a tertiary hospital setting. METHODS: Review of prospectively collected data regarding orbital reconstruction using SIS was performed. Demographics, tumor histology, size of orbital defect, adjuvant treatment, clinical status, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (average age, 58 years; range, 27-82 years) had SIS grafting of the medial orbital wall over a 5-year period at our tertiary academic institution. The average orbital wall defect size was 4.6 cm(2) (range, 1 cm(2)-24 cm(2)). Tumor histopathology included esthesioneuroblastoma (n = 5), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 4), adenocarcinoma (n = 2), sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (n = 2), melanoma (n = 3), and neuroendocrine carcinoma (n = 1). Surgical goals were curative intent in all patients. Ten patients had postoperative radiation therapy, whereas five individuals had surgical extirpation following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. All patients had complete locoregional control at last clinical follow-up (average, 16 months; range, 2-54 months), although three patients developed distant metastases. The only orbital complications noted were enophthalmos (n = 1), periorbital cellulitis (n = 1), and orbital wall crusting (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: SIS reconstruction of orbital wall defects was effective in the current series of patients, with only one patient developing noticeable enophthalmos and a low incidence of surgical complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.