Utilidad de los colgajos e injertos endonasales en cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal y de base de cráneo. Documento de consenso / Usefulness of endonasal flaps and grafts in skull base surgery. Consensus document

Introducción: La reconstrucción de base de cráneo constituye uno de los mayores retos de la cirugía endoscópica endonasal expandida. Existen multitud de injertos y colgajos de origen endonasal que han demostrado su utilidad en el control de complicaciones como las fístulas de LCR, entre otras. Se hace necesaria la revisión y el análisis de los recursos endonasales y su uso en cirugía endoscópica endonasal expandida.ObjetivosDocumento de consenso sobre el uso de los distintos injertos y colgajos de origen endonasal y su uso en cirugía endoscópica endonasal expandida.Material y métodosRevisión bibliográfica sobre los injertos libres y colgajos vascularizados de origen endonasal más relevantes. Análisis mediante el método Delphi, sobre el uso de los distintos recursos endonasales para la reparación endoscópica de defectos de base de cráneo.ResultadosSe obtuvieron dos resultados. 1) Una selección de los colgajos e injertos de origen endonasal más representativos, describiendo origen, superficie e indicaciones, a partir de una revisión bibliográfica. 2) Un documento de consenso, utilizando la metodología Delphi, con las consideraciones generales (2), recomendaciones (10) y limitaciones (6) sobre el uso de los distintos colgajos e injertos de origen endonasal.ConclusionesPresentamos el primer documento de consenso en el campo de la cirugía endoscópica endonasal utilizando el método Delphi como herramienta de trabajo. Se destaca la utilidad del colgajo nasoseptal junto con el resto de colgajos e injertos de origen endonasal para la cirugía reconstructiva de base de cráneo. (AU)

Introduction: Skull base reconstruction is one of the greatest challenges extended endonasal endoscopic surgery. Many grafts and flaps from the endonasal fossa have been demonstrated to be useful in the control of complications such a cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Review and analysis of these resources are necessary in skull base recontruction to improve outcomes.ObjectivesThe target is to create a consensus document on the use of different endonasal flaps and grafts in the skull base surgery.Material and methodsLiterature review of the most relevant free grafts and vascularized flaps from the endonasal fossa. Analysis using the Delphi method on the use of the different endonasal resources for endoscopic repair of skull base defects.ResultsWe obtained two results: 1) A selection of the most representative flaps and grafts from the endonasal fossa, describing origin, surface and indications, based on a literature review. 2) A consensus document, using Delphi methodology, with general considerations (2), recommendations (10) and limitations (6) of the different endonasal flaps and grafts.ConclusionsWe present the first consensus document in the field of extended endonasal endoscopic surgery using the Delphi method as a working tool. We highlight the usefulness of the nasoseptal flap together with other endonasal flaps and grafts for skull base reconstruction. (AU)

A Silent Corticotroph Pituitary Carcinoma: Lessons From an Exceptional Case Report.

Nowadays, neither imaging nor pathology evaluation can accurately predict the aggressiveness or treatment resistance of pituitary tumors at diagnosis. However, histological examination can provide useful information that might alert clinicians about the nature of pituitary tumors. Here, we describe our experience with a silent corticothoph tumor with unusual pathology, aggressive local invasion and metastatic dissemination during follow-up. We present a 61-year-old man with third cranial nerve palsy at presentation due to invasive pituitary tumor. Subtotal surgical approach was performed with a diagnosis of silent corticotroph tumor but with unusual histological features (nuclear atypia, frequent multinucleation and mitotic figures, and Ki-67 labeling index up to 70%). After a rapid regrowth, a second surgical intervention achieved successful debulking. Temozolomide treatment followed by stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy associated with temozolomide successfully managed the primary tumor. However, sacral metastasis showed up 6 months after radiotherapy treatment. Due to aggressive distant behavior, a carboplatine-etoposide scheme was decided but the patient died of urinary sepsis 31 months after the first symptoms. Our case report shows how the presentation of a pituitary tumor with aggressive features should raise a suspicion of malignancy and the need of follow up by multidisciplinary team with experience in its management. Metastases may occur even if the primary tumor is well controlled.

Surgical Outcome and Treatment of Thyrotropin-Secreting Pituitary Tumors in a Tertiary Referral Center.

OBJECTIVE: Thyrotropin (TSH)-secreting pituitary tumors are rare and typically present with hyperthyroidism. Here we report the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical outcomes in a series of patients with TSH-secreting pituitary tumors in a tertiary referral center. METHODS: Descriptive retrospective study that included all patients with TSH-secreting pituitary tumors who underwent transsphenoidal surgery in the endocrinology and nutrition unit of the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital (Seville, Spain) between 2004 and 2016. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 42.8 ± 17 years. The mean time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 13 ± 10 months. Four patients displayed symptoms indicating hyperthyroidism (1 suffered from tachycardia); 3 patients showed symptoms because of mass effect (visual impairment and headache) and 3 patients were diagnosed based on incidental findings after routine blood tests (high free thyroxine levels). Eight patients had macroadenomas, and 2 patients had microadenomas. Five patients underwent conventional pituitary surgery, and 5 patients underwent expanded endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. Six patients achieved cure after surgery. The other patients received radiotherapy and/or treatment with somatostatin analogs. Analysis of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression by immunohistochemistry could be performed in 6 tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the clinical and hormonal heterogeneity caused by TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas. Surgery is considered the first choice of treatment for these tumors. We observed surgical cure rates similar to those reported in recent published series. SSTR2 and SSTR3 are highly expressed in TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas. Our results suggest that somatostatin analog treatment may be also helpful in the treatment of TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

Surgical Outcomes and Comorbidities in Cushing Disease: 30 Years of Experience in a Referral Center.

OBJECTIVE: Cushing disease (CD) is a rare, poorly understood entity. Our aim was to add our clinical experience of >30 years in a multidisciplinary specialized unit to the global knowledge of CD. METHODS: This descriptive retrospective study included all patients admitted to the Endocrinology and Nutrition Department of the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Seville, Spain, from January 1980 to May 2016. All patients had a definitive diagnosis of CD. RESULTS: Total sample included 119 patients; 100 (84%) were female. Median age at diagnosis was 37.97 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 25.89-45.07 years). Median follow-up was 88 months (IQR: 45.50-157.00 months). Most tumors were microadenomas (62/95) (5.1 mm [IQR: 4.0-7.0 mm]) without sinus invasion. Surgical procedures were conventional transsphenoidal surgery (CTSS) (101/108; cured 70 after first attempt) and expanded endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (EETSS) (7/108; cured 5 after first attempt); 11 patients did not receive surgical treatment. Fourteen patients received radiotherapy after a first surgery and 5 patients after a second surgical removal attempt. In 13 patients (12.04%), CD relapse was demonstrated after initial CTSS (median disease-free period 65 months [IQR: 45-120 months]). Ten patients developed panhypopituitarism owing to the surgical procedure (CTSS); 8 patients developed panhypopituitarism after adjuvant radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: We observed slightly inferior cure rate after first surgery compared with moderately better relapse rates and time to relapse. Radiotherapy after surgery failure seemed to be more effective than CTSS; however, EETSS may be a valid alternative. Postoperative panhypopituitarism rate after first surgery was lower than expected; after radiotherapy, our results were comparable to other series.

Extended inferior turbinate flap for endoscopic reconstruction of skull base defects.

Objective When the use of the nasoseptal flap for endoscopic skull base reconstruction has been precluded, the posterior pedicle inferior turbinate flap is a viable option for small midclival defects. Limitations of the inferior turbinate flap include its small surface area and limited arc of rotation. We describe a novel extended inferior turbinate flap that expands the reconstructive applications of this flap. Design Cadaveric anatomical study. Participants Cadaveric specimens. Main Outcome Measures Flap size, arc of rotation, and reconstructive applications were assessed. Results The average width of the flap was 5.46 ± 0.58 cm (7.32 ± 0.59 cm with septal mucosa). The average length of the flap was 5.01 ± 0.58 cm (5.28 ± 0.37 cm with septal mucosa). The average surface area of the flap was ∼ 27.26 ± 3.65 cm(2) (40.53 ± 6.45 cm(2) with septal mucosa). The extended inferior turbinate flap was sufficient to cover clival defects extending between the paraclival internal carotid arteries. The use of the flap in 22 cadavers and 5 clinical patients is described. Conclusion The extended inferior turbinate flap presents an additional option for reconstruction of skull base defects when the nasoseptal flap is unavailable.