Long-term outcomes of endoscopic endonasal approach for skull base surgery: a prospective study.

UNLABELLED: Little is known about the long-term effects of either transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic approach (TTEA) or expanded endonasal approach (EEA). This study assessed the long-term impact of endoscopic skull base surgery on olfaction, sinonasal symptoms, mucociliary clearance time (MCT), and quality of life (QoL). Patients with pituitary adenomas underwent TTEA (n = 38), while patients with other benign parasellar tumours who underwent an EEA with vascularised septal flap reconstruction (n = 17) were enrolled in this prospective study between 2009 and 2012. Sinonasal symptoms (Visual Analogue Scale), subjective olfactometry (Barcelona Smell Test-24, BAST-24), MCT (saccharin test), and QoL (short form SF-36, rhinosinusitis outcome measure/RSOM) were evaluated before, and 12 months after, surgery. At baseline, sinonasal symptoms, MCT, BAST-24, and QoL were similar between groups. Twelve months after surgery, both TTEA and EEA groups experienced smell impairment compared to baseline. Moreover, EEA (but not TTEA) patients reported increased posterior nasal discharge and longer MCTs compared to baseline. No significant changes in olfactometry or QoL were detected in either group 12 months after surgery. Over the long-term, expanded skull base surgery, using EEA, produced more sinonasal symptoms (including loss of smell) and longer MCTs than pituitary surgery (TTEA). EEA showed no long-term impact on smell test or QoL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IIb.

Management of anterior skull base defect depending on its size and location.

INTRODUCTION: We present our experience in the reconstruction of these leaks depending on their size and location. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients who underwent advanced skull base surgery (large defects, >20 mm) and 62 patients with CSF leaks of different origin (small, 2-10 mm, and midsize, 11-20 mm, defects) were included in the retrospective study. Large defects were reconstructed with a nasoseptal pedicled flap positioned on fat and fascia lata. In small and midsized leaks. Fascia lata in an underlay position was used for its reconstruction covered with mucoperiosteum of either the middle or the inferior turbinate. RESULTS: The most frequent etiology for small and midsized defects was spontaneous (48.4%), followed by trauma (24.2%), iatrogenic (5%). The success rate after the first surgical reconstruction was 91% and 98% in large skull base defects and small/midsized, respectively. Rescue surgery achieved 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic surgery for any type of skull base defect is the gold standard. The size of the defects does not seem to play a significant role in the success rate. Fascia lata and mucoperiosteum of the turbinate allow a two-layer reconstruction of small and midsized defects. For larger skull base defects, a combination of fat, fascia lata, and nasoseptal pedicled flaps provides a successful reconstruction.

Manejo de las fístulas nasales de líquido cefalorraquídeo según su tamaño. Nuestra experiencia / Management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks according to size. Our experience

Objetivo: Presentamos nuestra experiencia en el cierre de fístulas de líquido cefalorraquídeo según su tamaño y localización. Material y método: Se incluyeron 54 pacientes con tumores de base de cráneo intervenidos mediante cirugía endoscópica (defectos grandes) y 62 pacientes con fístulas de otra causa (defectos pequeños y medianos). Los defectos grandes fueron reparados con un colgajo nasoseptal previa colocación de grasa y fascia lata y drenaje lumbar. En las fístulas de otra causa se aplicó fluoresceína al 5% intratecalmente para identificar la fístula. Para su reconstrucción utilizamos la fascia lata en posición underlay recubierta por un injerto mucoperióstico del cornete. Se retiró el taponamiento a las 24-48 h y se administró ceftriaxona durante 5-7 días. Resultados: La etiología más frecuente fue la espontánea (48,4%), seguida de la traumática (24,2%), la iatrogénica (5%) y otras. La tasa de éxito en la primera cirugía fue del 91% en los defectos grandes y del 98% en los pequeños. Con la cirugía de rescate la tasa asciende al 100%. El seguimiento a largo plazo fue de 15,6 ± 12,4 meses para los defectos grandes y de 75,3 ± 51,3 meses para los pequeños, sin evidencia de recurrencias. Conclusión: La cirugía endoscópica es segura y eficaz en el cierre de los defectos de base de cráneo con o sin fístula activa. El tamaño del defecto juega un papel menor en el resultado. La fascia lata y el mucoperiostio del cornete son suficientes para la reparación de las fístulas pequeñas y medianas, mientras que se prefieren los colgajos nasoseptales para los defectos grandes (AU)

Objective: We present our experience in the reconstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks according to their size and location. Material and methods: Fifty-four patients who underwent advanced skull base surgery (large defects) and 62 patients with CSF leaks of different origin (small and medium-sized defects) were included. Large defects were reconstructed with a nasoseptal pedicled flap positioned on fat and fascia lata and lumbar drainage was used. In small and medium-sized leaks of other origin, intrathecal fluorescein 5% was applied previously to identify the defect. Fascia lata in an underlay position was used for reconstruction, which was then covered with mucoperiosteum from the turbinate. Perioperative antibiotics were administered for 5-7 days. Nasal packing was removed after 24-48 hours. Results: The most frequent aetiology for small and medium-sized defects was spontaneous (48.4%), followed by trauma (24.2%), iatrogenic (5%) and others. The success rate was of 91% after the first surgery and 98% in large skull base defects and small/medium-sized respectively. After rescue surgery, the rate of closure achieved was 100%. The follow-up was 15.6 ± 12.4 months for large defects and 75.3 ± 51.3 months for small/medium-sized defects without recurrence. Conclusions: Endoscopic surgery for closure of any type of skull base defect is the gold standard approach. Defect size does not play a significant role in the success rate. Fascia lata and mucoperiosteum allow a reconstruction of small/medium-sized defects. For larger skull base defects, a combination of fat, fascia lata and nasoseptal pedicled flaps provide a successful reconstruction (AU)

[Management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks according to size. Our experience]. / Manejo de las fístulas nasales de líquido cefalorraquídeo según su tamaño. Nuestra experiencia.

OBJECTIVE: We present our experience in the reconstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks according to their size and location. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients who underwent advanced skull base surgery (large defects) and 62 patients with CSF leaks of different origin (small and medium-sized defects) were included. Large defects were reconstructed with a nasoseptal pedicled flap positioned on fat and fascia lata and lumbar drainage was used. In small and medium-sized leaks of other origin, intrathecal fluorescein 5% was applied previously to identify the defect. Fascia lata in an underlay position was used for reconstruction, which was then covered with mucoperiosteum from the turbinate. Perioperative antibiotics were administered for 5-7 days. Nasal packing was removed after 24-48 hours. RESULTS: The most frequent aetiology for small and medium-sized defects was spontaneous (48.4%), followed by trauma (24.2%), iatrogenic (5%) and others. The success rate was of 91% after the first surgery and 98% in large skull base defects and small/medium-sized respectively. After rescue surgery, the rate of closure achieved was 100%. The follow-up was 15.6 ± 12.4 months for large defects and 75.3 ± 51.3 months for small/medium-sized defects without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic surgery for closure of any type of skull base defect is the gold standard approach. Defect size does not play a significant role in the success rate. Fascia lata and mucoperiosteum allow a reconstruction of small/medium-sized defects. For larger skull base defects, a combination of fat, fascia lata and nasoseptal pedicled flaps provide a successful reconstruction.

The optimal evaluation and management of patients with a gradual onset of olfactory loss.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the causes of olfactory dysfunction, their evaluation and management, with a main focus on the gradual/progressive loss of smell. RECENT FINDINGS: As the sense of smell gives us essential information about our environment, its loss can cause nutritional and social problems while threatening an individual's safety. Recent surveys have shown quite a substantial prevalence of hyposmia (one out of four people) and anosmia (one out of 200 people) in a variety of populations. SUMMARY: Nasal inflammatory diseases such as allergic rhinitis and predominantly chronic rhinosinusitis account for the major and common causes of gradual/progressive loss of smell. However, they are also among the most successfully treated forms of olfactory dysfunction. The management of gradual/progressive smell deficit must always address its etiological causes. In most cases, a detailed medical history and nasal examination, smell testing, and imaging will help to establish an appropriate diagnosis. In addition to anti-inflammatory therapy, mainly nasal and systemic corticosteroids, recent investigations on smell training suggest that the controlled exposure to selected odors may increase olfactory performance. VIDEO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE: See the Video Supplementary Digital Content 1 (http://links.lww.com/COOH/A8).