Transpalpebral mini-orbitozygomatic approach for nonvascular skull base lesions: a single neurosurgeon's experience.

OBJECTIVE: The authors aim to describe the advantages, utility, and disadvantages of the transpalpebral mini-orbitozygomatic (MOZ) approach for tumors of the lateral and superior orbit, orbital apex, anterior clinoid, anterior cranial fossa, middle cranial fossa, and parasellar region. METHODS: The surgical approach from skin incision to closure is described while highlighting key technical and anatomical considerations, and cadaveric dissection demonstrates the surgical steps and focuses on important anatomy. Intraoperative images were included to supplement the cadaveric dissection. A retrospective review of adults who had undergone the MOZ approach for nonvascular pathology performed by a single neurosurgeon from 2017 to 2023 was included in this institutional review board-approved study. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data. Four representative cases were included to demonstrate the utility of the MOZ approach. RESULTS: The study included 65 patients (46 female, 19 male), average age 54.84 years, who had undergone transpalpebral MOZ surgery. Presenting symptoms included visual changes (53.8% of cases), vision loss (23.1%), diplopia (21.8%), and proptosis (13.8%). The optic nerve and optic chiasm were involved in 32.3% and 10.8% of cases, respectively. The most common pathology was meningioma (81.5% of cases), and gross-total resection was achieved in 50% of all cases. Major complications included an infection and a carotid injury. Improvement of preoperative symptoms was reported in 92.2% of cases. Visual acuity improved in 12 patients. The mean follow-up was 8.57 ± 8.45 months. CONCLUSIONS: The MOZ approach is safe and durable. The transpalpebral incision provides better cosmesis and functional outcomes than those of standard anterolateral approaches to the skull base. Careful consideration of the limits of the approach is paramount to appropriate application on a case-by-case basis. Further quantitative anatomical studies can help to define and compare the utility of the approach to open cranio-orbital and endoscopic transorbital approaches.

Stenting and angioplasty for idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a case series with clinical, angiographic, ophthalmological, complication, and pressure reporting.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that cerebral dural sinus stenosis (DSS) may be a potential patho-physiological cause of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Endovascular therapy for DSS is emerging as a potential alternative to treat IIH. Here, we present the results of our case series. METHOD: We prospectively collected angiographic and manometric data on patients that underwent angioplasty/stenting for IIH. All patients had failed maximal medical therapy (MMT) and had confirmed sinus stenosis. Demographic, clinical and radiological presentation, and outcomes were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients underwent 25 procedures. Demographics revealed a mean age of 30 (range 15-59), 83% (15/18) were female, 72% (13/18) were white, and mean body mass index of 36 (range 23-59.2). All patients presented with classic IIH. Symptom improvement or resolution was reported in 94% (17/18) of patients. All patients had resolution and/or stabilization/improvement of their papilledema. Headaches related to increased pressure improved in 56% (10/18). Re-stenosis and retreatment occurred in 33% (6/18). No procedural related complications were reported. CONCLUSION: Dural sinus angioplasty and stenting is relatively safe, feasible, and clinically efficacious for patients with symptomatic sinus stenosis who have failed standard therapy. The long-term durability of patency and clinical improvement remains unknown.

Multimodal endovascular therapy of traumatic and spontaneous carotid cavernous fistula using coils, n-BCA, Onyx and stent graft.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) can be classified as either direct or indirect according to the arterial feeder source. The current standard treatment for CCF is endovascular embolization. In this case series, 21 CCF (direct and indirect) embolization procedures were treated with multimodal endovascular therapy to explore safety, technique and clinical efficacy. METHOD AND PATIENTS: The neurointerventional database was reviewed for all cases of CCF. Demographic information, indications for the procedure, presenting symptoms, endovascular therapy types, complications and procedure angiographic and clinical efficacy were collected. RESULTS: 21 CCF embolization procedures were performed using multimodal therapy on 15 patients (eight females and seven males) with a mean age of 56.4±22.4 years (15-90 years), with 60% traumatic CCF and 40% spontaneous CCF presenting mainly with typical visual symptoms. 10 patients were treated in one session, four patients underwent two sessions and one required three sessions of endovascular therapy. Complete fistula occlusion was achieved in 10/15 patients (73.3%) in one session and in 14/15 (93.3%) patients after two or more sessions. One patient's symptoms (case No 15) improved dramatically after the second session despite incomplete obliteration of the CCF. No periprocedural complications were reported. Long term follow-up showed one recurrence of the CCF with a mean follow-up time of 201±17.2 months (range 1-56 months). Patient No 6 was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Multimodal endovascular embolization of CCF appears to be safe with a high success rate of complete obliteration. This case series demonstrates complete occlusion in 73.3% of the patients after one session and in 93.3% after the second session.