AB031. Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for functional pituitary adenoma: shifting paradigms towards pseudocapsule-based resection.

BACKGROUND: Functional pituitary adenomas (PAs) manifest as intricate clinical syndromes, and surgery emerges as the principal intervention to mitigate associated morbidity and mortality. The endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) approach stands as the preferred method for addressing PAs, with postoperative remission acting as a pivotal prognostic factor. METHODS: This study seeks to evaluate the influence of different surgical techniques and complications of ETS on functional PAs, focusing on both Acromegaly and Cushing's disease (CD). Patient records, including characteristics, perioperative assessments, postoperative complications, and follow-up data, were systematically gathered. Tumor resection methods were categorized into: (I) complete pseudocapsule resection; and (II) complete piecemeal resection. Post-surgery, daily monitoring of serum cortisol levels continued for a consecutive 3-day period until values of 2 µg/dL or less were achieved. Growth hormone levels were reassessed 12 weeks later, targeting a level of <0.14 g/L. A follow-up enhanced magnetic resonance imaging examination was conducted 3 months post-surgery to confirm the absence of residual tumors. RESULTS: The study identified 46 patients (23 with acromegaly and 13 with CD) who underwent endoscopic surgery between 2020 and 2023. Twenty-six patients underwent piecemeal resection (January 2020 to December 2022), while 10 patients underwent complete pseudocapsule removal (January to December 2023). No significant changes in surgical complications were observed between the two techniques. No instances of carotid artery injury, epistaxis, intracranial infection, or loss of olfaction were reported. In the pseudocapsule group, one patient experienced transient vision loss. Notably, 80% of patients in the pseudocapsule group achieved remission as compared to 57.7% in the piecemeal group. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudocapsule-based resection exhibited a remarkable remission rate, a low complication rate, and an absence of recurrence in functional adenoma patients. Despite the limited number of cases and our early experience, further studies are warranted to validate its effectiveness and safety.

AB030. Combined transcranial and endonasal endoscopic approach for sinonasal tumors with intracranial extension: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Sinonasal tumors, occurring in less than 1% of the general population, represent a rare and challenging subset of pathologies. Lesions that affect the skull base present a varied range of pathological entities, posing significant therapeutic complexities for surgeons. CASE DESCRIPTION: This case series explores the surgical interventions performed on three patients with distinct histologic types of sinonasal tumors invading the skull base. These individuals presented with non-specific symptoms persisting for months to a year, including anosmia, nasal congestion, and epistaxis-all in the absence of neurological deficits. The management approaches were discussed on a multidisciplinary basis. Tumor excision was meticulously performed in a single session using a combination of endonasal endoscopic and transcranial approaches. The tumors were successfully excised, addressing both the intranasal and intracranial components. The pathological spectrum included olfactory neuroblastoma, neuroendocrine atypical carcinoid tumor, and paraganglioma with ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone production. Reconstruction of the skull base involved the utilization of split calvaria bone graft, fascia, Tisseel glue, and a vascularized nasoseptal mucosa flap. Lumbar drain was not used. None of the patients experienced postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks or new neurological deficits, with the only noted complication being a subdural hematoma in one patient at a site distant from the surgical field. Minimal residual tumor was detected on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Patients remain in remission up to 12 months after completing adjuvant therapies. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of surgical expertise from otolaryngologists and neurosurgeons in a combined approach enables the removal of tumors from two different directions simultaneously. Proper usage of this multilayer pedicled "double flap" contributes to the success of skull base surgery. This approach is safe and effective. It improves the visualization of the tumor, enhances access to critical areas, increases tumor clearance, and also contributes to optimal oncological outcomes.

Bedside Examination Technique for Taste.

Taste disorders are uncommon and frequently unrecognised during neurological and even oral examinations. Nevertheless, understanding taste pathway, its disorders, as well as assessment of taste are crucial as it can reveal various oral, systemic and neurological pathologies that manifest as an alteration of taste. Multiple taste examination techniques have been described in the literature; however, certain techniques are complicated and may not be feasible. This paper describes the adoption of a relatively simple technique for taste assessment that can be performed at the bedside. The bedside detection of taste disorders will allow examiners to assign the patient for more detailed and invasive taste assessments.

A Severe Pharyngeal-Sensory-Ataxic Variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome With Transient Cardiac Dysfunction and a Positive Anti-sulfatide IgM.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a heterogeneous group of acute immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy that typically presents with classic axonal or demyelinating sensory-motor type. However, there are variants of GBS with atypical presentation. We report a rare case of severe pharyngeal-sensory-ataxic variant of GBS associated with poor cardiac systolic function, elevated troponin, and positive anti-sulfatide IgM. The sensory symptom atypically started in the hands in an ascending pattern, which progressed to involve the trunk and face and, later, all limbs. It was associated with severe dysphagia, ataxia, and generalized areflexia but with preserved muscle strength in all extremities. Recognizing the atypical pattern of presentation and the ability to perform an accurate clinical localization are the utmost important initial steps in making the diagnosis. The patient showed complete recovery after immunoglobulin therapy.