Extradural transcavernous approach to cavernous sinus cavernous hemangiomas.

OBJECTIVE: Cavernous sinus cavernous hemangioma (CSCH) is a rare extra-axial vascular lesion and is difficult to be removed due to their location, propensity for profuse bleeding during surgery, and relationship to complex neurovascular structures. The purpose of this study is to report our experience of the removal of CSCHs through a completely extradural transcavernous approach. METHODS: Twelve patients with CSCH, who were operated through a purely extradural approach, were retrospectively studied. Clinical symptoms and signs, radiographic characteristics, operative techniques and outcomes of these patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Headache and visual impairment were the most common clinical symptoms, followed by facial hypesthesia and ptosis. Radiographically, CSCHs have a characteristic pattern. On computed tomography (CT) scans, CSCHs are isodense or minimally hyperdense, with an intense homogenous contrast administration. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) scans revealed well-demarcated and hypo- to isointense lesions on T1-weighted images and characteristically, markedly hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted images. The T2-weighted images showed a marked homogeneous and an intense enhancement after contrast administration. All CSCHs were treated by a completely extradural transcavernous approach. Gross total excision was achieved in all 12 patients. Post-operative complication included transient cranial nerve dysfunction for 2-3 months in eight patients, and three patients developed a permanent VI nerve palsy. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 117 months (mean 62 months), and no patient had experienced tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: CSCHs are rare and challenging skull base tumors. The microsurgical resection, using an extradural transcavernous approach which allows complete tumor resection with an acceptable intraoperative and postoperative complications, should be considered as a favorable choice among all treatments.

Metal-organic frameworks MIL-88A hexagonal microrods as a new photocatalyst for efficient decolorization of methylene blue dye.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) MIL-88A hexagonal microrods as a new photocatalyst show an active performance for methylene blue (MB) dye decolorization using visible light. MB decolorization over the MIL-88A photocatalyst follows first-order kinetics. The addition of a H2O2 electron acceptor can markedly enhance the photocatalytic MB decoloration performance of MIL-88A. Moreover, MIL-88A showed a very stable activity for MB decoloration after four consecutive usages. Owing to the advantages of the visible light response, low cost and abundance in nature, this active MIL-88A MOF photocatalyst would have great potential for environmental purification.

[Surgical management of petroclival meningiomas invading into cavernous sinus].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features, surgical strategy and management outcomes of petroclival meningioma invading into cavernous sinus. METHODS: Fifteen cases with petroclival meningioma invading into cavernous sinus were retrospectively analyzed. The presigmoidal approach was selected to remove tumors. The surgical strategy for tumor in cavernous sinus was partial resection combined with radiosurgery. Postoperative cranial nerve function and patient survival status were analyzed. RESULTS: The main symptoms of subtype of petroclival meningiomas were headache, abducens nerve palsy and trigeminal neuropathy. Gross total tumor removal was achieved in 13 cases and more than 90% resection in 2 cases. There was no operative death. Nine cases suffered from new postoperative cranial nerve deficits. After a follow-up of 6 - 59 months, complete improvement was achieved in oculomotor nerve deficits, much improvement in VII nerve deficit, but V and VI nerve function deficits improved slightly. The tumor progression-free survival rate was 86.7%. CONCLUSION: Rational surgical strategy to petroclival meningiomas invading into cavernous sinus should be suggested to reduce the operative morbidity and improve the survival quality of these patients.