Modified Transpetrosal-Transtentorial Approach for Resection of Large and Giant Petroclival Meningioma: Technical Nuance and Surgical Experiences.

BACKGROUND: Meningiomas arising from the petroclival area remain a challenge for neurosurgeons. Various approaches have been proposed to achieve maximum resection with minimal morbidity and mortality. Also, some articles correlated preservation of adjacent veins with less neurologic deficits. OBJECTIVE: To describe the experiences in using a new technique to achieve maximal resection of petroclival meningiomas and preserving the superior petrosal veins (SPVs) and the superior petrosal sinus (SPS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 26 patients harboring a true petroclival meningioma with a diameter ≥25 mm and undergoing surgery with the modified transpetrosal-transtentorial approach (MTTA) was performed. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of 22 patients complained of severe headache at presentation. There was also complaint of cranial nerve (CN) deficit, with CN VII deficit being the most common (present in 42% of patients). The average tumor size (measured as maximum diameter) was 45.2 mm, and most of the tumors compressed the brainstem. Total resection was achieved in 12 patients (46.2%), whereas the others were excised subtotally (54.8%). Most of the patients had WHO grade I (96.1%) meningioma; only one had a grade II (3.8%) meningioma. In addition, clinical improvement and persistence of symptoms were observed in 17 (65.4%) and 8 (30.7%) patients, respectively, and postoperative permanent CN injury was observed in 3 (11.5%) patients. CONCLUSION: Using the MTTA, maximal resection with preservation of the CNs and neurovascular SPV-SPS complex can be achieved. Therefore, further studies and improvements of the technique are required to increase the total resection rate without neglecting the complications that may develop postoperatively.

Lifesaving Decompressive Craniectomy for High Intracranial Pressure Attributed to Deep-Seated Meningioma: Emergency Management.

OBJECTS: As the most common intracranial extra-axial tumor among adults who tend to grow slowly with minimal clinical manifestation, the patients with meningioma could also fall in neurological emergency and even life-threatening status due to high intracranial pressure (ICP). In those circumstances, decompressive craniectomy (DC) without definitive tumor resection might offer an alternative treatment to alleviate acute increasing of ICP. The current report defines criteria for the indications of lifesaving DC for high ICP caused by deep-seated meningioma as an emergency management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study collected the candidates from 2012 to 2018 at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. The sample included all meningioma patients who came to our ER who fulfilled the clinical (life-threatening decrease in Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS]) and radiography (deep-seated meningioma, midline shift in brain computed tomography [CT] >0.5 cm, and diameter of tumor >4 cm or tumor that involves the temporal lobe) criteria for emergency DC as a lifesaving procedure. GCS, midline shift, tumor diameter, and volume based on CT were evaluated before DC. Immediate postoperative GCS, time to tumor resection, and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were also assessed postoperation. RESULTS: The study enrolled 14 patients, with an average preoperative GCS being 9.29 ± 1.38, whereas the mean midline shift was 15.84 ± 7.02 mm. The average of number of tumor's diameter and volume was 5.59 ± 1.44 cm and 66.76 ± 49.44 cc, respectively. Postoperation, the average time interval between DC and definitive tumor resection surgery was 5.07 ± 3.12 days. The average immediate of GCS postoperation was 10.07 ± 2.97, and the average GOS was 3.93 ± 1.27. CONCLUSION: When emergency tumor resection could not be performed due to some limitation, as in developing countries, DC without tumor resection possibly offers lifesaving procedure in order to alleviate acute increasing ICP before the definitive surgical procedure is carried out. DC might also prevent a higher risk of morbidity and postoperative complications caused by peritumoral brain edema.

Petroclival tension pneumocephalus: an unrivalled life threatening complication linked to molecular-targeted therapy.

A 73-year-old man with a petroclival tumor (metastatic renal cell carcinoma) presented with a progressive consciousness disturbance attributed to tension pneumocephalus during molecular-targeted therapy following low-dose fractionated radiotherapy for a petroclival tumor. The skull base defect was successfully reconstructed vi an endoscopic endonasal approach.

Burr hole drainage without irrigation for chronic subdural hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common neurosurgical conditions, with different strategies for treatment. Most recent trials favor the use of drainage to reduce the recurrence rate. However, few reports have discussed the efficacy of burr hole drainage without irrigation for treating CSDH. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of burr hole drainage without irrigation in a series of 385 symptomatic CSDH lesions. METHODS: This retrospective study included a series of 385 symptomatic CSDH lesions in 309 patients, who underwent burr hole drainage without irrigation, between September 2009 and August 2017 at the Department of Neurosurgery, Yao Tokushukai General Hospital, Japan. The risk of recurrence was evaluated based on the patients' age, sex, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, preoperative anticoagulants, hematoma drainage rate, and bilaterality. RESULTS: Of the 385 lesions, 41 cases (16 with inadequate follow-up periods and 25 with contraindications for MRI) were excluded from the analysis. The overall recurrence rate in the index study was 4.9% (17/344 lesions). The effects of the preoperative hematoma volume and nonhyperintensity on T1-weighted imaging on the recurrence rate were significant. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that burr hole drainage without irrigation is a good surgical modality in patients with CSDH, and preoperative MRI findings can evaluate the risk of recurrence.

Acromegaly in preadolescence: A case report of a 9-year-old boy with acromegaly.

BACKGROUND: Acromegaly has been reported in adolescents and young adults, but it is unusual in preadolescence. Diagnosis and management pose different challenges in this age group. Here, we present a rare case of acromegaly in preadolescence. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 9-year-old boy presented with acromegalic features and MRI revealed a pituitary tumor. He was diagnosed as having growth hormone secreting pituitary adenoma based on the multidisciplinary assessment, and underwent gross total tumor resection through an endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) with subsequent normalization of the hormonal parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in EEA have made safe removal and cure possible even in children. However, long- term follow-up is needed in such younger patients with multidisciplinary management by neurosurgeons, endocrinologists, pediatricians, and ENT surgeons.

Posterior Direct Reduction of Lateral Atlantoaxial Joints for Rigid Pediatric Atlantoaxial Subluxation: A Fulcrum Lever Technique.

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case series. OBJECTIVE: To present a surgical technique and results of posterior direct reduction of lateral atlantoaxial joints for rigid pediatric atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) using a fulcrum lever technique. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The surgical treatment of pediatric rigid AAS is still technically challenging. Several factors contribute to the surgical difficulty, such as small vertebrae, incomplete bone formation, dysplasia, the difficulty of reduction and external fixation are considered as a surgical daunting challenge. Herein, the surgical technique of posterior direct reduction of lateral atlantoaxial joints for rigid pediatric AAS using a fulcrum lever technique is presented. METHODS: This retrospective study included 10 pediatric patients with rigid AAS who underwent posterior direct reduction of bilateral C1/2 facet joints via a fulcrum lever technique. The indication for surgery was the presence of neurological symptoms and spinal cord atrophy with an intramedullary high signal at the C1 level on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. The surgical procedure consisted of three steps: (1) opening and distraction of the C1/2 facet joints and placement of tricortical bone as a spacer and fulcrum; (2) placement of C1 and C2 screws; and finally, (3) compression between the C1 posterior arch and C2 lamina and constructing C1/2 fusion. All patients underwent the neurological and radiological evaluations before and after surgery. RESULTS: Eight of 10 patients demonstrated genetic disorders, either Down syndrome or chondrodysplasia punctate. Besides, all cases documented congenital anomaly of the odontoid process. Bilateral C1 lateral mass screws were successfully placed in all cases. No evidence of postoperative neurovascular complications. Radiological evaluation showed the corrections and bony fusions of C1/2 facet joint in all cases. CONCLUSION: The fulcrum lever technique for rigid pediatric AAS can be one of the effective surgical solutions to this challenging pediatric spinal disorder. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Surgical implementation and efficacy of endoscopic endonasal extradural posterior clinoidectomy.

OBJECTIVEThe endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for skull base tumors has become an important topic in recent years, but its use, merits, and demerits are still being debated. Herein, the authors describe the nuances and efficacy of the endoscopic endonasal extradural posterior clinoidectomy for maximal tumor exposure.METHODSThe surgical technique included extradural posterior clinoidectomy following lateral retraction of the paraclival internal carotid artery and extradural pituitary transposition. In cases with prominent posterior clinoid process, a midline sellar dura cut was added to facilitate extradural exposure. Forty-four consecutive patients, in whom this technique was performed between 2016 and 2018 at Osaka City University Hospital, were reviewed. The pathology included 19 craniopharyngiomas, 7 chordomas, 6 meningiomas, 6 pituitary adenomas, 4 chondrosarcomas, and 2 miscellaneous. Utilization and effectiveness of this approach were further demonstrated with neuroimaging.RESULTSExtradural posterior clinoidectomies were successfully applied in all patients without permanent neurovascular injury and with better maneuverability and greater resection rate of the tumors. Four patients experienced transient postoperative abducens nerve paresis, and 1 patient experienced transient postoperative oculomotor nerve paresis; however, the patients with deficits recovered within 3 months. On radiological examination, the surgical field was 2.2 times wider in cases with bilateral posterior clinoidectomy than in cases without posterior clinoidectomy.CONCLUSIONSThe extended EEA with extradural posterior clinoidectomy creates an extra working space and allows adequate accessibility with safe surgical maneuverability to remove tumors that extend behind the posterior clinoid and dorsum sellae.

Significance and Indications of Surgery for Asymptomatic Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas.

BACKGROUND: The availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has led to an increase in the detection of pituitary incidentaloma (PI). However, there are no robust data on surgical treatment of PI on which to base therapeutic recommendations. This study was performed to investigate the significance of surgery for asymptomatic nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) among PIs. METHODS: A total of 180 patients that underwent tumor resection of pituitary adenoma via the transsphenoidal approach between 2005 and 2017 were reviewed. Thirty-three consecutive patients with subjectively asymptomatic NFPA were included in this study. Our surgical indications for asymptomatic NFPAs were categorized as follows: macroadenoma with optic chiasma compression (group A, n = 14), solid tumor ≥2 cm in size (group B, n = 7), and tumor growth on follow-up MRI (group C, n = 12). The clinical outcomes were analyzed accordingly. RESULTS: Seven patients (50%) in group A showed subjective improvement of visual function after tumor resection even though they had no complaints preoperatively. On the other hand, no changes occurred in any cases in group B or group C. Although there were no critical complications in this series, the incidence of nonnegligible nasal complications was relatively high (24.2%) and may decrease the patient's quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery should be recommended for asymptomatic NFPA with optic chiasma compression to improve visual outcome. On the other hand, immediate intervention for other asymptomatic NFPA to reduce the likelihood of the appearance of tumor-related symptoms remains questionable considering its invasiveness to the nose.

Overcoming Daunting Challenges of Clipping of Paraclinoid Carotid-Ophthalmic and Superior Hypophyseal Artery Aneurysms: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

This surgical video emphasizes the nuances that needed to overcome daunting challenges of clipping of paraclinoid carotidophthalmic and superior hypophyseal artery (SHA) aneurysms. To avoid hazardous manipulations, scarifying the ipsilateral SHA under visual evoked potential (VEP) guidance can be done without risk of postoperative visual decline. This technique is associated with better visual outcome.1 A 66-yr-old woman presented with gradually enlarging right paraclinoid carotidophthalmic and SHA aneurysms. The relationship between those aneurysms and the critical neurovascular structures made us facing a daunting challenge to preserve the visual function. To preserve the patency of the ophthalmic artery (oph.A), endovascular intervention was abandoned and a direct clipping surgery was selected. Following VEP settings, exposure of the cervical internal carotid artery for proximal control and right frontotemporal craniotomy, a subfrontal approach was used. To get adequate accessibility and safe maneuverability, the anterior clinoidectomy and unroofing of the optic canal were completed, then, the falciform ligament and the distal dural ring were carefully opened. Under VEP guidance, the oph.A and SHAs were temporarily occluded. VEP had been stable under repeated occlusions. The carotidophthalmic aneurysm was clipped with preservation of the oph.A. Besides, 1 ipsilateral SHA was sacrificed to achieve complete clipping of the SHA aneurysm. Final indocyanine green videoangiography confirmed obliteration of the paraclinoid aneurysms and patency of the oph.A, the other SHA and the tiny arterioles around the optic nerve. The postoperative course was uneventful. There was no evidence of postoperative visual disturbances. The patient has consented to the submission of the case report to the journal.

Spheno-Orbital Meningioma: Surgical Outcomes and Management of Recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: Spheno-orbital meningioma (SOM) is a rare intracranial tumor that arises at the sphenoid wing, extends into the orbit, and is associated with hyperostosis of the sphenoid bone. These tumors often invade important neurovascular structures around the orbital apex, superior orbital fissure, and cavernous sinus. Aggressive tumor removal could achieve acceptable control; however, residual tumor can regrow. In this article, our surgical management and long-term outcomes are described. METHODS: Retrospectively, 12 patients with SOM who were treated surgically over a 21-year period were included. The clinical features and long-term tumor control were evaluated. RESULTS: Participants comprised 12 patients (5 men and 7 women). Mean follow-up was 74.4 months (range, 10-262 months). Ten patients (83%) were identified as World Health Organization grade 1 (WHO-I), and 2 patients (17%) were identified as WHO grade 2 (WHO-II). We encountered 4 recurrences, 2 of which needed additional surgeries. One patient with WHO-I (10%) experienced recurrence 10 years after the initial surgery and required a second surgery. Two patients with WHO-I (20%) showed slight regrowth of residual tumor around the superior orbital fissure; nevertheless, additive therapy was not recommended. Despite radical tumor resection, including eyeball and adjunctive radiotherapy for 1 patient with WHO-II, tumor recurrence in the posterior fossa was documented 19 years after the initial aggressive surgery. CONCLUSIONS: SOM follows a relatively benign clinical course given the invasive radiologic findings. Abnormal bone resection is paramount to prevent early-stage recurrence. Although intradural residual tumor might regrow, additional surgery could achieve reasonable long-term tumor control with better outcome.

Watertight Robust Osteoconductive Barrier for Complex Skull Base Reconstruction: An Expanded-endoscopic Endonasal Experimental Study.

Endoscopic skull base reconstruction (ESBR) following expanded-endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEA) in high-risk non-ideal endoscopic reconstructive candidates remains extremely challenging, and further innovations are still necessary. Here, the aim is to study the reconstructive knowledge gap following expanded-EEA and to introduce the watertight robust osteoconductive (WRO)-barrier as an alternative durable option. Distinctively, we focused on 10 clinical circumstances. A 3D-skull base-water system model was innovated to investigate the ESBR under realistic conditions. A large-irregular defect (31 × 89 mm) extending from the crista galli to the mid-clivus was achieved. Then, WRO-barrier was fashioned and its tolerance was evaluated under stressful settings, including an exceedingly high (55 cmH2O) pressure, with radiological assessment. Next, the whole WRO-barrier was drilled to examine its practical-safe removal (simulating redo-EEA) and the whole experiment was repeated. Finally, WRO-barrier was kept into place to value its 18-month long-term high-tolerance. Results in all experiments of WRO-barriers were satisfactorily fashioned to conform the geometry of the created defect under realistic circumstances via EEA, tolerated an exceedingly high pressure without evidence of leak even under stressful settings, resisted sudden-elevated pressure, and remained in its position to maintain long-term watertight seal (18 months), efficiently evaluated with neuroimaging and simply removed-and-reconstructed when redo-EEA is needed. In conclusion, WRO-barrier as an osteoconductive watertight robust design for cranial base reconstruction possesses several distinct qualities that might be beneficial for patients with complex skull base tumours.

Pitfalls of skull base reconstruction in endoscopic endonasal approach.

Various skull base reconstruction techniques have been developed in endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for skull base lesions to prevent postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and pitfalls of our method of skull base reconstruction after EEA. A total of 123 patients who underwent EEA (127 surgeries) between October 2014 and May 2017 were reviewed. Our algorithm for skull base reconstruction in EEA was categorized based on intraoperative CSF leakage graded as follows: grade 0 was excluded from this study; grade 1, dural suturing with abdominal fat graft or packing of gelatin sponge into the cavity; grade 2, method for grade 1 with addition of mucosal flap or nasoseptal flap (NSF); and grade 3, duraplasty in fascia patchwork closure with NSF. Bony reconstruction was not mandatory, and there was no postoperative bed rest or initial lumbar drainage (LD) insertion in any of the cases. Postoperative CSF leakage after EEA was mostly prevented (96.3%) by our algorithm without postoperative initial LD or bed rest. On the other hand, reconstruction surgery was required for postoperative CSF leakage in two cases-one with prior multitranssphenoidal surgery and radiotherapy and another patient with poor compliance due to communication difficulties. Both of the latter patients were obese. Greater care with regard to postoperative CSF leakage is required in patients with prior EEA with radiotherapy and obesity. In such high-risk patients, initial LD or bed rest may be required to prevent postoperative CSF leakage. It is also important to restrict activities that result in increased intracranial pressure.

Superficial Siderosis Associated with Craniopharyngioma.

BACKGROUND: Superficial siderosis (SS) associated with craniopharyngioma is an extremely rare occurrence. To our knowledge, only 3 cases have been reported in literature. Two of the cases occurred following resection of the tumor. Similar to the present case, 1 of the cases was discovered before surgical intervention, "pure tumor-related" SS. The clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcome are discussed in this article. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 50-year-old man presented with an 11-month history of left-sided tinnitus, hearing impairment, and a 2-month history of visual disturbance. Cerebellar ataxia and gait disturbance were found on examination. Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with SS. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis before surgery revealed xanthochromia confirming an existing chronic sustainable subarachnoid hemorrhage. He underwent a tumor resection in endoscopic endonasal approach followed by stereotactic radiosurgery. On follow-up, the visual symptoms resulting from craniopharyngioma subsided, whereas hearing impairment, cerebellar ataxia, and gait disturbance associated with SS did not progress but were unchanged despite subsequent evidence of watery-clear CSF. CONCLUSIONS: In the present case, SS could be associated with craniopharyngioma on the basis of CSF findings and clinical symptoms. Detection and early treatment aimed at eliminating the bleeding source offer the best chance of halting the disease process.