Sinonasal adenocarcinoma presented as a giant anterior cranial fossa mass: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal adenocarcinoma accounts for less than 0.1-4% of all malignancies in the region. It is common among woodworkers and leather workers. Sinonasal adenocarcinoma usually arises from the ethmoid sinus (40%) or nasal cavity (25%). Extension to nearby structures is common, but intracranial spread is very rare. These tumors are usually treated with surgery, with a reported 5-year survival rate of 59% to 80%. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a 60-year-old Black African male patient who presented with globalized headache, nasal obstruction with snoring during sleep, anosmia, change in mentation, sometimes agitation and left-side visual loss of one-year duration with worsening his above symptoms over the last one month. He couldn't smell soap bilaterally; in his left eye he could see only hand movement at nearly 30 cm. On brain magnetic resonance imaging, there was a T1 hypo- and T2 hyper-intense anterior cranial fossa mass arising from the left ethmoid sinuses and sphenoid sinuses and compressing the left optic structures, and brain computed tomography demonstrated heterogeneous hypo- to isodense mass. Complete tumor excision achieved and discharged with significant improvement and linked to oncology unit for radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The management of these patients is multidisciplinary, involving neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, oncologists, and maxillofacial surgeons. Surgical resection is the main treatment strategy, followed by radiotherapy, particularly intensity-modulated therapy. Chemotherapy is used in highly advanced, metastatic, and unresectable tumors.

Transarterial Embolization of Anterior Cranial Fossa Dural AVFs as a First-Line Approach: A Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular treatment has been increasingly used for anterior cranial fossa dural AVFs. Evidence on the safety and efficacy of different endovascular treatment strategies is limited. We report clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients with anterior cranial fossa dural AVFs who underwent treatment using transarterial embolization with n-BCA as a first-line approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing treatment for anterior cranial fossa dural AVFs at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers between 2010 and 2023 were retrospectively included. Transarterial embolization was used as a first-line approach, while transvenous treatment and surgery were used in cases of unsuccessful transarterial embolization. Treatment was evaluated on the basis of the angiographic cure rate, procedural complications, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were included with 15 anterior cranial fossa dural AVFs. All patients underwent primary endovascular treatment (12 transarterial, 1 transvenous, and 1 combined). Complete occlusion using only transarterial embolization was reached in 69% of patients (9/13), while the overall complete occlusion by endovascular treatment was reached in 79% of patients (11/14). Navigation and embolization were performed through the ophthalmic artery in 13 patients, with no procedural complications. Visual acuity was preserved in all patients. Three patients underwent an operation after failed endovascular treatment. All patients had complete anterior cranial fossa dural AVF occlusion at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of anterior cranial fossa dural AVFs using transarterial embolization with n-BCA as a first-line approach is a safe and feasible first-line treatment strategy. No visual complications due to embolization through the ophthalmic artery occurred in this study.

Endoscope-Controlled High Frontal Approach for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula in Anterior Cranial Fossa.

BACKGROUND: Currently, surgical obliterations are a mainstay for treating dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) in the anterior cranial fossa (ACF), which has high risks of hemorrhage and functional disorder. By introducing an endoscope into a high frontal approach and utilizing its advantages, we attempted to establish it as a new surgical procedure that eliminates the drawbacks of various approaches that have been used to date. METHODS: By using 30 clinical datasets of venous-phase head computed tomography angiogram, measurements and comparisons on a 3-dimensional workstation were performed to identify the appropriate positioning of keyhole craniotomy for endoscope-controlled high frontal approach (EHFA). Based on these data, a cadaver-based surgery was simulated to verify the feasibility of EHFA and develop an efficient procedure. RESULTS: In EHFA, though raising the position of the keyhole craniotomy made the operative field deeper, significant advantages were obtained in the angle between the operative axis and the medial-anterior cranial base and the amount of bone removal required at the anterior edge of craniotomy. Minimally invasive EHFA, performed through a keyhole craniotomy without opening the frontal sinus, proved to be feasible on 10 sides of 5 cadaver heads. Moreover, 3 patients with DAVF in ACF were successfully treated by clipping the fistula via EHFA. CONCLUSIONS: EHFA, which provided a direct corridor to the medial ACF at the level of the foramen cecum and crista galli and the minimum necessary operative field, was found to be a suitable procedure for clipping the fistula of DAVF in ACF.

Natural history, angiographic presentation and outcomes of anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistulas (ACF-dAVFs) are aggressive vascular lesions. The pattern of venous drainage is the most important determinant of symptoms. Due to the absence of a venous sinus in the anterior cranial fossa, most ACF-dAVFs have some degree of drainage through small cortical veins. We describe the natural history, angiographic presentation and outcomes of the largest cohort of ACF-dAVFs. METHODS: The CONDOR consortium includes data from 12 international centers. Patients included in the study were diagnosed with an arteriovenous fistula between 1990-2017. ACF-dAVFs were selected from a cohort of 1077 arteriovenous fistulas. The presentation, angioarchitecture and treatment outcomes of ACF-dAVF were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: 60 ACF-dAVFs were included in the analysis. Most ACF-dAVFs were symptomatic (38/60, 63%). The most common symptomatic presentation was intracranial hemorrhage (22/38, 57%). Most ACF-dAVFs drained through cortical veins (85%, 51/60), which in most instances drained into the superior sagittal sinus (63%, 32/51). The presence of cortical venous drainage predicted symptomatic presentation (OR 9.4, CI 1.98 to 69.1, p=0.01). Microsurgery was the most effective modality of treatment. 56% (19/34) of symptomatic patients who were treated had complete resolution of symptoms. Improvement of symptoms was not observed in untreated symptomatic ACF-dAVFs. CONCLUSION: Most ACF-dAVFs have a symptomatic presentation. Drainage through cortical veins is a key angiographic feature of ACF-dAVFs that accounts for their malignant course. Microsurgery is the most effective treatment. Due to the high risk of bleeding, closure of ACF-dAVFs is indicated regardless of presentation.

Endoscopic Transorbital Approaches to Anterior and Middle Cranial Fossa: Exploring the Potentialities of a Modified Lateral Retrocanthal Approach.

BACKGROUND: Among the new perspectives to revolutionize skull base surgery, there are the transorbital neuroendoscopic (TONES) approaches to reach the anterior and middle cranial fossa (ACF and MCF). We conceived to explore the potentialities of a modified superiorly and medially extended lateral retrocanthal (LRC) approach. METHODS: Six head specimens were dissected. Applying the established conic model and the key surgical landmark of sphenofrontal suture, we tested the feasibility of a modified LRC to reach ACF and MCF; computed tomography (CT) scans were performed before and after dissection to obtain a morphometric analysis of the surgical corridors using a polygonal surfaces model. RESULTS: Through our anatomical study, we were able to identify and explore 3 different surgical corridors to reach the ACF and MCF: the superomedial, the superolateral, and the inferolateral. The superomedial corridor appeared most suitable to reach the medial part of the ACF and the optic-carotid region, whereas through the superolateral and inferolateral corridors it was possible to reach and explore the lateral part of ACF and MCF. The mean volumes of the 3 surgical corridors calculated on post-dissection CT scans were: 12.72 ± 1.99, 5.69 ± 0.34, and 6.24 ± 0.47 cm3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The development of TONES approaches has not replaced the traditional open or endoscopic approach; nonetheless, identification of surgical corridors and the possibility to combine them represent a major breakthrough. Clinical studies are necessary to demonstrate their validity and test the effectiveness, safety, and reproducibility of TONES approaches in managing lesions harboring in the ACF and MCF.

[A Case of Anterior Cranial Fossa Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Involving Uncontrolled Seizures Diagnosed Based on Characteristic Findings on Arterial Spin-labeling Imaging].

We report a case of anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistula(ACF-DAVF)in a patient whose diagnosis was made according to characteristic findings on arterial spin labeling(ASL)MRI. CASE:A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of intractable epilepsy. Based on the initial MRI findings, an initial diagnosis of limbic encephalitis was made. Steroids and anticonvulsant drugs were administered;however, the seizures could not be controlled. A second MRI with ASL revealed abnormal vessel signals in the base segments of the left frontal and temporal lobes toward the basal vein of Rosenthal. Digital subtraction angiography(DSA)revealed an arteriovenous shunt in the left anterior cranial fossa, which drained toward the medial side of the left temporal lobe. A diagnosis of ACF-DAVF with status epilepticus was made, and the main drainer was cauterized. After the surgical procedure, the epilepsy was controlled with antiepileptic drugs, and postoperative MRI revealed obliteration of ACF-DAVF, disappearance of the high-intensity area on FLAIR sequences, and disappearance of the high-intensity signal area on ASL.

Initial experience with the Scepter Mini dual-lumen balloon for transophthalmic artery embolization of anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistulae.

BACKGROUND: Precise delivery of liquid embolic agents (LEAs) remains a challenge in the endovascular treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVFs) and cerebral arteriovenous malformations (cAVMs). Despite significant advances in the past decade, LEA reflux and catheter navigability remain shortcomings of current endovascular technology, particularly in small and tortuous arteries. The Scepter Mini dual-lumen balloon microcatheter aims to address these issues by decreasing the distal catheter profile (1.6 French) while allowing for a small (2.2 mm diameter) balloon at its tip. METHODS: We report our initial experience with the Scepter Mini in two patients with anterior cranial fossa dAVFs that were treated with transophthalmic artery embolization. RESULTS: In both patients, the Scepter Mini catheter was able to be safely advanced into the distal ophthalmic artery close to the fistula site, and several centimeters past the origins of the central retinal and posterior ciliary arteries. A single Onyx injection without any reflux resulted in angiographic cure of the dAVF in both cases, and neither patient suffered any vision loss. CONCLUSIONS: These initial experiences suggest that the Scepter Mini represents a significant advance in the endovascular treatment of dAVFs and cAVMs and will allow for safer and more efficacious delivery of LEAs into smaller and more distal arteries while diminishing the risk of LEA reflux.

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma in the posterior fossa: a case report with advanced neuroimaging findings.

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare glioma usually occurring in children and young adults. It is a benign World Health Organization (WHO) grade II tumor that accounts for <1% of all astrocytomas. Its occurrence in the infratentorial compartment is rare, and the cerebellum is the most common of the unusual locations. Few case reports have described conventional imaging features of these tumors, but none has reported the advanced magnetic resonance (MR) neuroimaging features in dynamic susceptibility perfusion-weighted imaging (DSC-PWI), diffusion weighted-imaging (DWI) and MR spectroscopy. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to report a case of PXA in the cerebellum of a 28-year-old patient and discuss the MR advanced imaging characteristics compared to the more common PXA supratentorial type.

Frontal Ethmoidal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are an infrequent subtype of cranial DAVFs. These lesions are most commonly derived from the ophthalmic artery. These lesions are often best treated utilizing endovascular embolization; however, this modality can be challenging because of the difficulty in catheterizing the ophthalmic or ethmoidal arteries. Surgical intervention is therefore indicated and requires approaching the proximal portion of the drainage vein to appropriately obliterate the fistulous point. For ethmoidal DAVFs, this is frequently along the dura of the cranial base adjacent to the cribriform plate. This patient had a right frontal hematoma with a typical ethmoidal DAVF. The fistula was exposed through a frontal craniotomy, and the ethmoidal branch was identified at the fistulous point. Intraoperative angiography was used to test for obliteration, which revealed a contralateral DAVF. The contralateral fistula was then obliterated in a similar manner, demonstrated on a second intraoperative angiogram. The patient gave informed consent for surgery and video recording. Institutional review board approval was deemed unnecessary. Used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Olfactory Fossa Measurements and Nasal Septum Deviation for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic sinus surgeries (ESS) are frequently used in the treatment of optic nerve decompression, other intracranial lesions and sinonasal pathologies. The olfactory fossa can be localized on different levels in relation to the anterior cranial fossa. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the depth and width of the olfactory fossa (OF) in relation to nasal septum deviation (NSD). METHODS: A total of 225 patient (141 female and 84 male, age range between 15 to 56 years) of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data was used in this study. NSD, OF width, OF depth were measured. OF depth which was grouped according to the Keros classification as Type I, II, and III was calculated. All measurements were performed bilaterally except for NSD. RESULTS: In the right and left OF depth were found Keros Type I 32 (14.2%) and 30 (13.3%), Keros Type II 171 (76%) and 167 (74.2%), and Keros Type III 22 (9.8%) and 28 (12.4%) respectively. There was no statistically significant found between OF depth and NSD (P > 0.05). The mean angle of the NSD in men and women were 4.36 ±â€Š4.69 in women 4.11 ±â€Š4.36, respectively. The mean width of the right OF was 2.50 ±â€Š0.64 mm and 2.58 ±â€Š0.72 mm for the left side and there was no statistically significant association between OF width - NSD and OF width - OF depth (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The anatomy of the OF should be well established before surgical intervention increase of the length of the lateral lamella is also increases the risk of developing complications such as cerebral damage, hemorrhage, and cerebrospinal fluid fistula during endoscopic sinus surgery. Although there is no significant difference between OF measurement and NSD, with three-dimensional imaging detailed research is required before endoscopic sinus surgical operations.

Cranial Fossa Volume in Differing Subtypes of Apert Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Based on an established classification system of Apert syndrome subtypes, detailed regional morphology and volume analysis may be useful to provide additional clarification to individual Apert cranial structure characteristics, and treatment planning. METHODS: Computed tomography scans of 32 unoperated Apert syndrome and 50 controls were included and subgrouped as: type I, bilateral coronal synostosis; type II, pansynostosis; type III, perpendicular combination synostosis. Three-dimensional analysis of craniometric points was used to define structural components using Materialise Mimics and 3-Matics software. RESULTS: Occipitofrontal circumference of all subtypes of Apert syndrome patients is normal. Intracranial volumes of types I and II were normal, but type III was 20% greater than controls. Middle cranial fossa volume was increased in all 3 types, with the greatest increase in type II (86%). Type II developed a 69% increase in anterior cranial fossa volume, whereas type III had 39% greater posterior cranial fossa volume. Increased cranial fossa depth contributed most to above increased volume. The anteroposterior lengths of middle and posterior cranial fossae were reduced in type I (15% and 17%, respectively). However, only the anterior cranial fossa was significantly shortened in type III. CONCLUSIONS: Occipitofrontal circumference and overall intracranial volume is not always consistent in individual subunits of Apert syndrome. Detailed and segmental anterior, middle, and posterior cranial fossae volumes and morphology should be analyzed to see what impact this may have related to surgical planning.

Does paranasal sinus development affect olfactory fossa depth and lateral lamella length?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the olfactory fossa depths and lateral lamella lengths of patients with different types of developmental disorders of paranasal sinuses in comparison with normal controls. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, archival, radio-anatomical study. METHODS: We included 58 patients with maxillary sinus hypoplasia, 50 patients with frontal sinus hypoplasia/aplasia, 50 patients with sphenoid sinus hypoplasia/aplasia, and 40 normal controls. Reviewing paranasal computerized tomography scans, we noted the olfactory fossa depths and lateral lamella lengths of all the groups and compared between the hypoplasia groups and the control group. RESULTS: Compared with the normal controls, the maxillary hypoplasia group (P < 0.001), frontal hypoplasia/aplasia group (P = 0.004), and sphenoid hypoplasia/aplasia group had significantly deeper olfactory fossa (P = 0.003). The mean lateral lamella lengths in the type 1, type 2, and type 3 hypoplastic maxillary sinus groups were significantly greater compared with that in the control group (P < 0.001). Additionally, the mean lateral lamella lengths in the hypoplastic frontal sinus, aplastic frontal sinus, and hypoplastic sphenoid sinus groups were significantly greater compared with that in the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The patients with pneumatization defects of the maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses had deeper olfactory fossa and longer lateral lamella related to increased risk of skull base injury during endoscopic sinus surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 129:2458-2463, 2019.

Hydatidosis of infratemporal fossa with proptosis - an unusual presentation: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Hydatid disease is one of the common zoonotic diseases caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. It is endemic in sheep-raising and cattle-raising areas worldwide and humans are an accidental intermediate host following the ingestion of the larvae. Head and neck involvement of echinococcosis is a rare entity and involvement of the infratemporal region is extremely rare even in endemic areas. Only a few cases of hydatid cysts located in the infratemporal fossa have been reported in the literature. Moreover, extension of the hydatid cyst into the intraorbital region and infiltrating into the surrounding orbital bone is even rarer. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 65-year-old Gurung Nepalese woman with painless proptosis of her left eyeball of 2 months' duration with recent progressive diminution of vision for 15 days. Radiological findings showed a cystic mass in the left infratemporal fossa extending into the left orbit and involving the surrounding orbital bone. Surgical removal was carried out. On histopathological evaluation, it was reported as hydatid cyst infiltrating into the bone. She was prescribed albendazole and discharged after surgery. However, she was lost to follow up and returned after 15 months with recurrence and proptosis of the same eye. Repeat excision of the lesion was carried out and postoperatively she was administered tablet albendazole. She was found to be disease free after 6 months of follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and radiological findings are important but may not be sufficient in the preoperative diagnosis of hydatid disease especially if rare sites are involved. Proptosis may be seen in several conditions and orbital or infratemporal hydatidosis, although rare, should be considered a differential diagnosis.

Recurrent epistaxis leading to diagnosis of primary sinonasal melanoma.

A 48-year-old man presented to urgent care with recurrent epistaxis over 6 months. Initially, nosebleeds were controlled with packing or cautery. Ultimately, he was referred to ear, nose and throat department and underwent nasal endoscopy which revealed polypoid tissue. A biopsy of the polyp showed non-specific inflammation with no evidence of malignancy. Follow-up maxillofacial CT revealed a large mass lesion in the right maxillary sinus, right nasal fossa, much of the ethmoids and right sphenoid, with destruction of adjacent bony structures. MRI revealed a mass in the right nasal cavity with extension into the ethmoid and anterior sphenoid sinus, anterior cranial fossa and medial orbits. Staging CT discovered metastatic disease in the adrenal glands and lymphadenopathy in the neck. The patient underwent endoscopic sinus surgery with debulking and tissue diagnosis of malignant melanoma. He completed radiation therapy to sinus and was subsequently enrolled in a clinical trial. Most recent imaging revealed complete metabolic response on positron emission tomography.

The Radiographic Effects of Surgical Approach and Use of Retractors on the Brain After Anterior Cranial Fossa Meningioma Resection.

OBJECTIVE: There is an increasing trend toward skull base (SB) approaches and retractorless surgery to minimize brain manipulation during surgery. We evaluated the radiographic changes over time after surgical resection of anterior cranial fossa meningiomas with and without both SB approaches and/or fixed retractor systems. METHODS: All adults undergoing primary resection of an anterior cranial fossa World Health Organization grade I meningioma through a craniotomy at a single academic tertiary-care institution from 2010 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were reviewed and contrast-enhanced tumor and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) volumes were measured. Matched-pair analyses between patients who underwent SB and non-SB approaches, as well as retractorless and retractor-assisted (RA) surgery, were made. RESULTS: Of the 136 total patients, 20 (15%), 12 (9%), 46 (34%), and 58 (43%) underwent SB/retractorless, SB/RA, non-SB/retractorless, and non-SB/RA surgery, respectively. Patients who underwent non-SB and RA surgery each independently had longer times to FLAIR resolution than those who underwent SB (20.9 vs. 5 months; P = 0.04) and retractorless (12 vs. 5.2 months; P = 0.02) surgery, respectively. Patients who underwent both non-SB and RA surgery had the longest median time to FLAIR resolution (30 months vs. 4 months in SB/retractorless, 3.6 months in SB/RA, and 3 months in non-SB/retractorless; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of SB approaches in combination with retractorless surgery may decrease the duration needed for FLAIR resolution after surgery. The results from this study therefore advocate SB approaches and retractorless surgery along the anterior SB when possible.

Olfactory Groove Schwannoma ­ A Case Report and Literature Review

Olfactory groove schwannomas (OGSs) are rare benign tumors of the anterior skull base region. Considering the lack of Schwann cells in the optic and olfactory nerves, their origin remains enigmatic. Despite the precursor cell, total resection of the lesion is curative, as long as the histopathological features of the tumor are compatible with schwannoma. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman, addicted to crack, who was brought to the hospital presenting with cognitive dysfunction after being physically assaulted, whose neuroimaging revealed a large extra-axial mass in the subfrontal sagittal region. The presentation, immunohistochemical markers and histogenesis are discussed in the present study, along with a literature review.

[A Case of Dural Arteriovenous Fistula in the Anterior Cranial Fossa that Developed Remote from the Craniotomy Site after Surgery].

Dural arteriovenous fistula(dAVF)is relatively rare, and its etiology remains uncertain. Generally, dAVF is thought to be acquired and has been reported to develop secondary to sinus thrombosis, head injury, infection, and surgery. We report a rare case of dAVF in the anterior cranial fossa that developed remote from the craniotomy site after surgery. A 52-year-old man underwent surgery for hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage 4 years prior. Perioperative imaging modalities demonstrated no abnormal vascular malformation except for an un-ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm. Four years later, follow-up magnetic resonance angiography showed abnormal vascular malformation in the anterior cranial fossa, and cerebral angiography demonstrated dAVF. dAVF and aneurysm were successfully treated. Possible formation of a dAVF should be considered after craniotomy.