Pineal Region Hemangioblastoma Resection Through Paramedian Supracerebellar Approach: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Pineal region tumors remain challenging lesions to safely resect because of their central location.1 Patients frequently present with symptoms associated with hydrocephalus and brainstem compression.2 Local anatomy, primarily the tentorium angle and venous anatomy, plays a central role in the selection of the approach.3 The paramedian supracerebellar approach pioneered by Yasargil in 19844 allows to access the pineal region through a less steep angle while avoiding the central thickened arachnoid and midline cerebellar and vermian veins.3 Although the author strongly prefers the advantageous three-quarter concord position, this early case was performed in a sitting position, which requires a bubble test to rule out the presence of a persistent foramen ovale. The preoperative pineal differential diagnosis should be exhaustive, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tumor markers in suitable cases. Hemangioblastomas are seldom found or expected in the pineal area, and the surgeon must be alarmed by their typical "cherry nodule" appearance.2,5 Their recognition prior to resection is paramount in avoiding excessive blood loss from tumor entry. Similar to arteriovenous malformations, hemangioblastoma surgical tenets include en bloc resection and preservation of the main draining veins until the last steps of the resection. Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome genetic workup is necessary is similar patients, as more than 25% of hemangioblastomas are associated with VHL tumor suppressor gene mutations in chromosome 3.2 The patient consented to the surgery and use of her photography. Image at 2:41 from Ueyama et al, Bridging veins on the tentorial surface of the cerebellum: a microsurgical anatomic study and operative considerations, Neurosurgery, 1998, 43(5),3 used with permission from the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Resection of Pontine Cavernoma Through the Anterior Transpetrosal Approach: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

The pons is the most frequent local for brain stem cavernoma.1 Repeated hemorrhage of brainstem cavernoma is associated with significant and accumulative neurological deficits and thus requires treatment. According to the Swedish Karolinska's group of radiosurgery, "it could not be concluded whether GKRS affects the natural course of a CM. The incidence of radiation-induced complications was approximately seven times higher than that expected."2 Thus, microsurgical removal has become the mainstay of treatment. In our experience, the following details assist in obtaining favorable outcomes and avoiding postoperative complications3,4: (a) the entry into the cavernoma based on thorough knowledge of the microanatomy; (b) the detailed study of the images and the presentation of the cavernoma on or near the brain stem surface; (c) the resection of the live cavernous hemangioma and not the mere removal of the multiple aged organized hematomas; (d) the preservation of the associated venous angioma; (e) the direct and shortest access to the lesion provided by a skull base approach; and (f) the use of the available technology, such as intraoperative neuromonitoring and neuroimaging. We present the case of a 54-yr-old male with recent deterioration in year 2001, past repetitive episodes of gait imbalance, and speech difficulty over a 7-yr period from known pontine cavernoma. The anterior petrosal approach provided superb and direct exposure to the entry at the lateral pons and the cavernoma was totally removed with preservation of the venous angioma. His preoperative neurological deficit rapidly recovered. Patient consented to the procedure and photography. Images at 3:15 from Kadri et al, The anatomical basis for surgical presercation of temporal muscle. J Neurosurg. 2004;100:517-522, used with permission from JNSPG. Image at 3:27 from Al-Mefty O, Operative Atlas of Meningiomas, © LWW, 1997, with permission.

Endoscopic-Assisted Keyhole Resection of a Recurrent Epidermoid Tumor: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Epidermoid tumors are benign lesions. Surgical resection is the only treatment option available for these lesions.1 The surgical approach should be tailored to the clinical and anatomic findings to achieve radical resection, preferably total removal of the content and the capsule to prevent recurrences.2 Total resection is frequently possible in de novo lesions using tailored skull base approaches and their combination as well as modern microsurgical techniques, including the endoscope-assisted tools.2,3 Giant recurrent tumors, however, are not amenable for total resection. Hence, the severe adhesions will lead to a higher morbidity as the epidermoid capsule becomes thicker and more fibrous after prior resections attempts.2,4 The extent of the resection should still be safely extended as much as possible to delay the interval between surgeries. Endoscopic techniques are of great help in achieving such results through a keyhole approach when conservative surgery is decided.3 We present the case of a 69-yr-old male with a past medical history of coronary heart disease, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and recurrent giant epidermoid cyst in the left cerebellopontine angle, with significant compression of the brainstem and extended into Meckel's cave, internal auditory canal, and jugular fossa. He underwent resection in 1983, 2004, and 2012. He presented with worsening gait, and multiple cranial nerves deficits. A minimally invasive approach through a keyhole craniotomy was performed given the age, comorbidity, and multirecurrent nature of his lesion. The patient consented to the intervention and publication of his image. He had a satisfying evacuation of his cyst content with transient facial and lower cranial nerve postoperative worsening.

Venous Anatomy Influence on the Approach Selection of a Petroclival Clear Cell Meningioma With Associated Multiple Spinal Meningiomas: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Preoperative careful evaluation of the sigmoid transverse sinus and its tributary veins is paramount for the safe surgical planning of petroclival lesions.1,2 When the vein of Labbé is running within the tentorium, classic petrosal approach involving transection of the tentorium is modified to avoid the risk of postoperative morbid temporal lobe venous infarcts.1-3 Thus, the surgical plan should be tailored to the specific patient anatomy as demonstrated in the presented case during which a transmastoid approach was followed, in the same surgical setting, by a middle fossa approach to resect a large petroclival clear cell meningioma with extension into Meckel cave. These meningiomas are WHO grade II tumors with a propensity to local recurrence and cerebrospinal fluid seeding.4 SMARCE1 mutations define this subtype of meningioma, with frequent familial inheritance, and predispose patients to both skull base and spinal clear cell meningiomas.5,6 Maximal surgical resection is the best initial treatment option allowing to withhold or delay the use of radiation in tumors frequently encountered in young patients.7 In this report, we demonstrate the microsurgical techniques deployed to achieve maximal resection of a petroclival clear cell meningioma and associated lumbar and sacral spinal meningiomas in a 20-yr-old patient with a familial SMARCE1 mutation. The patient agreed to the surgical intervention and to the use of her image.

Total Petrosectomy for the Total Resection of Sphenopetroclival Meningioma: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Sphenopetroclival meningioma is a most formidable meningioma. Many patients have few preoperative deficits and surgery has the potential of severe neurological complications. Surgical treatment is challenging due to brainstem compression, the involvement of multiple cranial nerves and cerebral vessels. Wide tumor exposure, multiple dissection axis, and short distance are paramount factors in the quest of achieving total removal of Simpson grade I, including the involved dura and bone. The posterior petrosal, transtentorial presigmoid approach offers a wide and shallow operative field.1-7 When the patient has hearing loss, extending the resection of the temporal bone provides unmatchable exposure facilitating safer and more complete tumor removal. This article demonstrates the removal of a sphenopetroclival meningioma through total petrosectomy with closing of the external auditory canal and preservation of the facial nerve in the Fallopian canal. A total resection of the tumor was achieved with long-term preservation of cranial nerve function. The surgical steps of total petrosectomy are shown, including the skin flap, combined middle and posterior fossa craniotomy, skeletonization of the sigmoid transverse sinus, radical mastoidectomy, dissection of the Fallopian canal, and drilling of the labyrinth, cochlea, and petrous apex for superb exposure.8 We demonstrate the intra-arachnoidal microsurgical dissection utilized for the radical resection of petroclival meningioma. This surgery performed in 1995 is a testament to the time-tested technique. The patient consented to the procedure and image use. Images at 1:33 and 3:57 © Ossama Al-Mefty, used with permission.