Subcranial Approach: A Straightforward Approach to the Anterior Fossa Floor: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

INDICATIONS CORRIDORS AND LIMITS OF EXPOSURE: Subcranial approach is a versatile keyhole approach mainly indicated to the tumors of the anterior fossa and midline invasive tumors from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. 1-5 Endoscopic endonasal video assistance enhances the exposure and the safety of the approach. ANATOMIC ESSENTIALS NEED FOR PREOPERATIVE PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT: Preoperative images depicted the size of the frontal sinuses and the relations of the lesions with frontal, ethmoid, and orbits. ESSENTIAL STEPS OF THE PROCEDURE: After performing a bifrontal scalp flap and a pericranial flap, periorbits are dissected from the superior and medial orbital rims. After frontonasal osteotomy, we drill the posterior wall of the frontal sinus. PITFALLS/AVOIDANCE OF COMPLICATIONS: Avoiding disruption of the cantal ligaments prevents telecantus. Watertight closure of the dura with temporal fascia graft and reinforcement with the pericranial flap makes cerebrospinal fluid leak occurrence very rare. VARIANTS AND INDICATIONS FOR THEIR USE: Subcranial approach is our preferred approach for the tumors of the anterior fossa floor and the midline paranasal invasive tumors. This keyhole approach through a relatively small frontoethmoidal craniotomy combines the advantages of the regular craniotomies but with no manipulation of the frontal lobes. An advantageous inferior angle of view similar of the pure endonasal endoscopical approach is achieved, but better than in the pure endoscopical approaches, the subcranial approach allows a direct wider exposure and a superior watertight reconstruction of the anterior fossa floor.The patients consented to the procedure and to the publication of his/her image.

Surgical Strategy for Dermoid and Epidermoid Tumors of the Posterior Fossa - Experience with 21 Patients

Objective The aim of this paper is to describe our surgical strategy and technique and to identify the best management for posterior fossa dermoid and epidermoid tumors (PFDETs). Methods We retrospectively identified 21 consecutive patients (11 males and 10 females), with a mean age of 33.2 years, a mean follow-up of 6.1 years, and pathologically confirmed PFDETs. Total 17 patients were submitted to the extended retrosigmoid approach. This approach incorporates transverse sigmoid sinus exposure and a generous mastoidectomy. Results Gross total tumor removal was achieved in 16 (76.1%) cases, with no surgical mortality and a recurrence rate of 9.5%. Conclusions The surgical strategies used in this group of patients enabled the total removal of most tumors without surgical mortality and with minimal morbidity and recurrence rates. The extended retrosigmoid approach used is an alternative path regarding cranial base approaches. This approach is quick, simple and safe, and decreases the retraction of the cerebellum.

Objetivos O objetivo deste estudo é descrever a técnica operatória para a melhor abordagem dos tumores dermoides e epidermoides da fossa posterior. Métodos Foram analisados retrospectivamente 21 pacientes (11 masculinos e 10 femininos), com idade média de 33,2 anos e acompanhamento de 6,1 anos, com diagnóstico histopatológico de tumor dermoide ou epidermoide de fossa posterior. Nesse grupo, 17 pacientes foram submetidos a abordagem retrossigmoide estendida. Esta abordagem inclui exposição do seio transverso e sigmoide, além de ampla mastoidectomia. Resultados Remoção cirúrgica total foi alcançada em 16 (76,1%) casos sem mortalidade e com recidiva em 9,5% dos casos. Conclusões As abordagens cirúrgicas utilizadas nesta série permitiram a ressecção total na maioria dos pacientes, sem mortalidade cirúrgica e com morbidade e recorrência mínima. A craniotomia retrossigmoide estendida utilizada é uma boa alternativa para abordagens da base do crânio. É uma abordagem simples, rápida, segura, e que minimiza a retração do cerebelo.

Giant clival chordoma causing pathological laughter.

BACKGROUND: Chordomas are rare slowly growing tumors that originate from remnants of the notochord. They have a malignant local behavior, causing symptoms due to bone infiltration and compression of neurovascular structures. Only a few cases of brain tumors associated with pathological laughter have been reported in the literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 42-year-old male patient with this atypical clinical presentation treated at our institution, and discuss the concerning literature. CONCLUSION: Although being a very rare presentation of chordomas, pathological laughter is usually expected to improve after brain stem decompression.

Surgical strategy for intracranial dermoid and epidermoid tumors: An experience with 33 Patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to report on our surgical strategy and technique and to identify the best management for intracranial dermoids and epidermoids tumors (IDETs). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 33 consecutive patients (14 males and 19 females; mean age at surgery, 37.9 years) with pathologically confirmed IDETs who underwent surgical resection, with mean follow-up of 7.2 years. RESULTS: Gross total tumor removal was achieved in 24 cases (72.7%) with zero surgical mortality and a recurrence rate of 9%. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical strategies used in this group of patients enabled total removal of most tumors without surgical mortality and with low morbidity and recurrence rates, proving to be safe and effective.

Subgaleal recurrence of craniopharyngioma of rapid growing pattern.

The purpose of the present clinical case is to remind clinicians that craniopharyngiomas, which are benign neoplasms with a high incidence of local recurrences, may also present ectopic recurrences which may at first go unsuspected. These tumors most commonly arise in the suprasellar region and despite their benign histology, they may infiltrate the surrounding neurovascular structures making total removal challenging. Ectopic recurrences of craniopharyngiomas are very rare. We describe an adult patient with ectopic recurrence of craniopharyngioma, emphasizing unique features of the case presentation and its physiopathological aspects. A 49-year-old male presented with headache and visual field defect and was diagnosed with a suprasellar tumor. He was submitted to neurosurgery and histological examination revealed an adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed complete tumor resection. The patient remained asymptomatic with no imaging signs of local recurrence during follow up. Five years after surgery, the patient noticed a rapidly growing lump at the surgical incision site. He reported a mild to moderate local trauma 4 months before. A MRI showed a subgaleal cystic tumor arising in the pathway of the craniotomy. Surgical resection of that cystic lesion was performed and histological examination revealed an adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma. One year later no recurrences have been detected. The case reported has two particular features: the local trauma as a potential trigger for tumor progression and the rapidly growing pattern of the ectopic recurrent tumor. We emphasize that although ectopic recurrences of craniopharyngiomas are rare, they may occur away from the primary tumor and quite late in the follow up of the patient.

Cerebral biopsy: comparison between frame-based stereotaxy and neuronavigation in an oncology center.

Treatment of intracranial tumoral lesions is related to its correct histological diagnostic. We present a retrospective analysis of 32 patients submitted to 36 cerebral biopsies using neuronavigation and 44 patients using frame-based stereotaxy. Mean age was 46.6 and 49.3 years old respectively. Sex distribution in both groups was 50% for each. Most of lesions were lobar in both groups. Diagnostic yielding was 91.7% and 83.4%, respectively (p=0.26). We found in the postoperative CT scans intracranial hemorrhages in 13.8% cases of the first group and 9.8% cases in the second. Most of them were mild post-operative hemorrages in the biopsy site. There was one death related to the procedure in each group. Astrocytomas and metastatic adenocarcinomas were the most frequent diagnosis. Diagnostic yielding and the number of postoperative hemorrhage and death were similar on both groups and the same found in the literature.

Cerebral biopsy: comparison between frame-based stereotaxy and neuronavigation in an oncology center / Biópsia cerebral: comparação entre estereotaxia com arco e neuronavegação em um centro de oncologia

Treatment of intracranial tumoral lesions is related to its correct histological diagnostic. We present a retrospective analysis of 32 patients submitted to 36 cerebral biopsies using neuronavigation and 44 patients using frame-based stereotaxy. Mean age was 46.6 and 49.3 years old respectively. Sex distribution in both groups was 50 percent for each. Most of lesions were lobar in both groups. Diagnostic yielding was 91.7 percent and 83.4 percent, respectively (p=0.26). We found in the postoperative CT scans intracranial hemorrhages in 13.8 percent cases of the first group and 9.8 percent cases in the second. Most of them were mild post-operative hemorrages in the biopsy site. There was one death related to the procedure in each group. Astrocytomas and metastatic adenocarcinomas were the most frequent diagnosis. Diagnostic yielding and the number of postoperative hemorrhage and death were similar on both groups and the same found in the literature.

O manejo das lesões intracranianas tumorais está relacionado ao seu diagnóstico histológico adequado. Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo com 32 pacientes submetidos a 36 biópsias cerebrais por neuronavegação e 44 pacientes por estereotaxia com arco. A idade média foi 46,6 e 49,3 anos respectivamente. Nos dois grupos a distribuição por sexo foi 50 por cento para cada. A maioria das lesões biopsiadas eram lobares nos dois grupos. A positividade diagnóstica foi 91,7 por cento para neuronavegação e 83,4 por cento para a estereotaxia com arco, respectivamente (p=0,26). Identificou-se hemorragia intracraniana na TC pós-operatória em 13,8 por cento dos casos no primeiro grupo e em 9,8 por cento no segundo, a maioria de pequena monta sem provocar piora neurológica. Ocorreu uma morte relacionada ao procedimento em cada grupo. Os diagnósticos mais freqüentes foram astrocitomas e adenocarcinomas metastáticos. A positividade diagnóstica, taxas de hemorragia pós-operatória e de mortalidade foram equiparáveis estatisticamente entre os dois métodos e se assemelham com as descritas na literatura.

Brainstem gliomas--retrospective analysis of 86 patients.

Brainstem gliomas constitute 10% of brain tumors in children and less than 2% in adults. Since therapeutic options are limited and brainstem gliomas are associated with a high morbidity and mortality, we sought to analyze the prognostic factors associated with a better outcome. We reviewed the records of 86 patients with brainstem gliomas treated between 1996 and 2006. We recorded demographic and clinical variables as well as radiological findings and survival. Patients were divided in two groups regarding overall survival: late progressors (survival >or=12 months) or early progressors (survival<12 months). Of 86 patients with brainstem gliomas, 55.8% were females. The mean age at diagnosis was 14.2 years (range 1 to 52 years). Twenty-four (27.9%) patients were adults. Lesions were located at pons in 75.6% of patients, midbrain in 15.1% and medulla in 9.3%. There was no difference between early and late progressors concerning gender, age at onset, location at pons, presence of necrosis or contrast enhancement observed at MRI or surgical resection. In both univariate and multivariate analysis, only a short duration of symptoms before diagnosis (<3 months) was associated with a worst prognosis (odds ratio 5.59, 95% CI 1.94 to 16, p=0.0014). A short duration of symptoms, which may imply a more aggressive tumor, was associated with a worst prognosis in patients with brainstem gliomas. This information may be useful in the selection of patients for future therapeutic trials.

Atypical facial access: an unusually high prevalence of use among patients with skull base tumors treated at 2 centers.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of the unique percentage of skin carcinomas with skull base invasion on the choice of the facial surgical approach. DESIGN: Multi-institutional retrospective analysis of the medical charts of all patients who had undergone oncological craniofacial operations from 1981 to 2005. Data were collected on demographic distribution, location of the primary tumor, histologic type, type of operation, reconstruction, complications, and outcome. Special attention was directed toward the choice of facial approach. SETTING: Two major tertiary care centers. PATIENTS: A total of 484 patients who had undergone major skull base operations. INTERVENTION: Frequency of atypical facial approaches. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Impact on the need for more sophisticated reconstructions and on surgical morbidity. RESULTS: During this 25-year period, 484 patients underwent major skull base operations in the 2 centers; data concerning 467 cases were available for analysis. The median age of the patients was 52.8 years (range, 4-88 years), and the male-female ratio was 1.9:1.0. The initial location of the tumor was the craniofacial skin in 63.5% of cases, ethmoid in 10.8%, maxilla in 2.3%, orbit in 1.9%, and other origins, including endocranial, in 19.4%. The histologic type of the lesions was basal cell carcinoma in 42.0% of cases, squamous cell carcinoma in 29.5%, esthesioneuroblastoma in 5.3%, adenocarcinoma in 3.9%, adenoid cystic carcinoma in 2.8%, and other types in 16.5%. Owing to this high prevalence of advanced skin carcinomas, the most commonly employed facial approach was atypical, tailored to encompass all compromised skin and underlying tissues, in 55.5% of cases, followed by the Weber-Ferguson approach, with all its variations (eg, nasal swing) in 17.8%, lateral rhinotomy in 12.2%, facial translocation in 3.8%, and other facial techniques in 7.7%. No facial approach was required in 1.5% of cases. CONCLUSION: In most situations, head and neck surgeons chose an atypical surgical approach to properly resect all facial structures invaded by very advanced skin cancers.

Isolated Pathetick nerve paresis by compression from a dolichoectatic basilar artery: case report.

The article describes a woman with 53 year-old that has presented diplopia when looking down and adopted a tilted head position in order to read for the last six months. The neuro-ophthalmic examination shows isolated right superior oblique muscle paresis. The magnetic resonance and the angioresonance show the dolicoectatic basilar artery compressing the right ventral lateral brainstem.

Isolated pathetick nerve paresis by compression from a dolichoectatic basilar artery: case report

The article describes a woman with 53 year-old that has presented diplopia when looking down and adopted a tilted head position in order to read for the last six months. The neuro-ophthalmic examination shows isolated right superior oblique muscle paresis. The magnetic resonance and the angioresonance show the dolicoectatic basilar artery compressing the right ventral lateral brainstem.

O artigo descreve uma mulher de 53 anos que há seis meses apresenta diplopia ao olhar para baixo, além de adotar postura inclinada da cabeça para ler. O exame neuro-oftalmológico revelou paresia isolada do músculo oblíquo superior direito. Os exames de ressonância magnética e angioressonância evidenciaram dolicoectasia da artéria basilar, que comprimia a face ventral lateral direita do tronco cerebral.

Extensive hydromyelia.

Hydromyelia is frequently associated with dissociated sensory loss, scoliosis, and upper limb weakness. This report describes the case of a 9-year old male with an extensive hydromyelia associated with a spinal cord tumor and an oligosymptomatic clinical presentation.

Mucocele frontal: relato de um caso avançado / Frontal mucocele: report of advanced case

As mucoceles säo lesoes benígnas raras dos seios paranasais. O seio frontal é o mais freqüentemente afetado sendo sua manifestaçäo clínica mais usual a proptose e diplopia. A tomografia computadorizada e a ressonância nuclear magnética säo os exames radiológicos de escolha para o diagnóstico desta lesäo. O objetivo do tratamento é a ressecçäo completa da lesäo cística com ampla comunicaçäo com a cavidade nasal. Os autores apresentam um caso raro de mucocele frontal avançado com ênfase aos padröes clínicos e o tratamento cirúrgico nao convencional da doença.