Anatomical and Radiological Analysis of Structures of Petrous Part of the Temporal Bone and Their Impact on Area of Anterior Petrosectomy.

BACKGROUND: Anterior petrosectomy (AP) is a commonly recognized approach for accessing tumors located in the petrous apex region. The essence of AP lies in drilling the petrous part of the temporal bone within the Kawase quadrangle. In our study, we conducted radiological and anatomical analyses of the structures within the petrous portion of the temporal bone, evaluating their impact on the surgical field during AP. METHODS: We conducted an analysis of 15 anatomical specimens and 20 3D reconstructions based on computed tomography scans of the middle ear. The analyzed structures included the impression of the trigeminal nerve, the groove of the greater petrosal nerve, the arcuate eminence, and the angle between eminentia arcuata and grove for greater petrosal nerve. RESULTS: The mean surface area measured by radiological methods does not deviate significantly from the mean surface area measured by anatomical methods 276.265mm2 (interquartile range: 217.603-309.188) versus 233.21mm2 (interquartile range: 210.923-255.453) P = 0.051. We established a threshold 195,99mm2 for radiological determination of the surface area at which another approach should be considered. Additionally, we have developed corrections for specific radiological factors to enable a better assessment of anatomical conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that preoperative assessment of anatomical conditions based on 3D reconstructions of computed tomography of the middle ear can be a valuable tool in preoperative planning of surgery on tumors in the petroclival region using the AP. Further studies involving a larger sample size are necessary to validate the findings of our study.

Plasma amino acids indicate glioblastoma with ATRX loss.

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common primary brain tumour in adults. The lack of molecular biomarker, non-specific symptoms and fast growth rate often result in a significant delay in diagnosis. Despite multimodal treatment, the prognosis remains poor. Here, we verified the hypothesis that amino acids (AA) regulating the critical metabolic pathways necessary for maintenance, growth, reproduction, and immunity of an organism, may constitute a favourable target in GB biomarker research. We measured the plasma amino acids levels in 18 GB patients and 15 controls and performed the quantitative and qualitative metabolomic analysis of free AA applying high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). We present both the raw data and the results of our statistical analysis. The majority of AA were lowered in the study group in comparison to the control group. Five of these (arginine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, and histidine) differed significantly (all p < 10-5 and AUC > 0.9). Plasma levels of leucine and phenylalanine decreased in the case of GB with lost alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATRX) expression on immunohistochemistry (p = 0.003 and 0.045, respectively). We demonstrated for the first time that certain plasma-free AA levels of GB patients were significantly different from those in healthy volunteers. Target profiling of plasma-free AA, identified utilizing LC-QTOF-MS, may present prognostic value by indicating GB patients with lost ATRX expression. The on-going quest for glioma biomarkers still aims to determine the detailed metabolic profile and evaluate its impact on therapy and prognosis.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of Spinal Canal: Brief Case Report.

We describe a case of an intradural extramedullary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the cervical spine. A 56-year-old woman presented with progressive neck pain, radiating to the right scapula, without any neurologic deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intradural extramedullary tumor with a dural tail sign, located at the C3-T1 segment with homogeneous contrast enhancement. The patient was operated on for a suspected meningioma. Pathologic examination showed fibrosis and inflammation with infiltration of B and T lymphocytes accompanied by plasmocytes, macrophages, and myofibroblast oocytes. We present the clinical course and review of the literature.

Suprasellar Epidermoid Cyst: Case Report of Extended Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Resection and Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Suprasellar epidermoid cysts (SECs) constitute a large portion of so-called pearly tumors. Despite their insidious development and infiltration into vital neurovascular structures, they have a friable consistency, which particularly facilitates their resection; the only alternative to surgery is wait-and-see policy. We present a case of SEC in a patient with bitemporal hemianopia and no other significant symptoms and results of analysis of data on surgical treatment of 71 similar cases reported in the last 4 decades. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 29-year-old man presented with 1 year blurred vision. Bitemporal hemianopia was detected by perimetry. The patient was otherwise fit and well, with no significant past medical history. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an extra-axial suprasellar lesion with expansion toward the prepontine cistern, which showed restricted diffusion. The patient was operated on via a binostril endoscopic transtuberculum-transplanum endonasal approach. Pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of epidermoid cyst. The postoperative course was complicated by third cranial nerve palsy, rhinorrhea, which required reoperation, and diabetes insipidus. Otherwise, the patient made a good recovery and reported subjective improvement of visual acuity. Gradually, the left third cranial nerve function improved and there was neither any long-term complication nor recurrence on 6 months follow-up study. CONCLUSIONS: A suprasellar location frequently impedes the gross total resection of epidermoid cysts. Endoscopic endonasal approaches might be more effective in resection of lesions that do not extend laterally beyond the cranial nerves. The introduction of magnetic resonance imaging and surgical endoscopy were fundamental achievements in SEC management. There is a constant need for quality case reports on the management of these intracranial tumors.

Three cases of ectopic sphenoid sinus pituitary adenoma.

Introduction: Ectopic sphenoid sinus pituitary adenoma is a rare tumour originating from embryologic remnants of Rathke's pouch. Although it is considered a clinically benign neoplasm, necrosis is encountered in 25% of cases and it can invade adjacent bone structures. Aims: To establish clinical, radiological and histopathological features of ectopic sphenoid sinus pituitary adenoma. Material and methods: Analysis of three cases: two females and one man, aged 61-70. Results: One patient presented with a unilateral hearing loss, the other two with headache and vertigo. They all suffered from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Neurological examination revealed no abnormality. Radiological imaging showed a sphenoid sinus space-occupying soft-tissue lesion with bone erosion in 2 cases and empty sella in 2 patients whereas one had a normal pituitary gland. All were operated on via the transnasal approach. Total resection was achieved in one patient and subtotal in two; in two cases we observed intact sellar dura and in one intact sellar floor. Histopathology showed immunoreactivity for synaptophysin in all cases and cytokeratin in two. The Ki-67 index was less than 2%. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated growth hormone cells in all cases whereas prolactin and adrenocorticotropin in two. The patients were discharged home in good condition with no neurological deficits. Conclusions: Ectopic sphenoid sinus pituitary adenoma should always be considered in differential diagnosis of sphenoid sinus lesion in the elderly, especially in coexistence with empty sella or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Since ectopic sphenoid sinus pituitary adenoma is a benign lesion, surgical removal is an effective treatment. .