Tailored Surgical Approaches for Foramem Magnum Tumors

Objective To describe our surgical techniques, analyze their safety and their postoperative outcomes for foramen magnum tumors (FMTs). Methods From 1986 to 2014, 34 patients with FMTs underwent surgeries using either the lateral suboccipital approach, standard midline suboccipital craniotomy, or the far lateral approach, depending on the anatomic location of the lesions. Results In the present series, there were 22 (64.7%) female and 12 (35.2%)male patients. The age of the patients ranged from12 to 63 years old.We observed 1 operativemortality (2.9%). A total of 28 patients (82.3%) achieved a score of 4 or 5 in the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Gross total resection (GTR) was obtained in 22 (64.7%) patients. After the surgery, 9 (26%) patients developed lower cranial nerve dysfunction (LCNd) weakness. The follow-up varied from 1 to 24 years (mean: 13.2 years). Conclusion Themajority of tumors located in the FMcan be safely and efficiently removed usingeither thelateral suboccipital approach, standardmiddlelinesuboccipital craniotomy, or the far lateral approach, depending on the anatomic location of the lesions.

Extended Pterional Approach for Medial Sphenoid Wing Meningioma: A Series of 47 Patients.

Background To describe our operative strategy and analyze its safety and effectiveness for the removal of medial sphenoid wing meningiomas (MSWMs) through the extended pterional approach. Method We identified 47 patients with MSWMs who were operated using this approach between 1986 and 2016. Medical charts, operative reports, imaging results, and clinical follow-up evaluations were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. Results No surgical mortality was observed in this sample. Gross total resection was achieved in 30 (63.8%) patients. Intradural clinoidectomy was performed in 16 (34%) patients. The median length of follow-up was 8.5 years (range, 1-30 years). Conclusion The extended pterional approach associated with microsurgery techniques provided excellent results for the removal of MSWMs.

Lateral suboccipital retrosigmoid retrocondylar approach for foramen magnum meningiomas.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to describe our approach and the surgical technique and analyze its safety and the outcome for foramen magnum meningiomas (FMMs). METHODS: From 1986 to 2016, 15 FMM patients were operated on using the lateral suboccipital retrocondylar approach. RESULTS: In this series, there were 12 (80%) female and 3 (20%) male patients. The patients ranged in age from 33 to 63 years. There was no operative dead, but two patients died during the follow-up period, which varied from 1 to 24 years (mean, 10.2 years). Twelve patients (80%) achieved Glasgow Outcome Scale 4 or 5. Gross total resection was achieved in 13 (86.6.7%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of FMM can be safely removed using the lateral suboccipital retrocondylar approach without condylar resection, associated to meticulous microsurgical technique.

Management strategies for neoplastic and vascular brain lesions presenting during pregnancy: A series of 29 patients.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of a brain tumor or intracranial vascular lesion during pregnancy is a rare event, but when it happens, it jeopardizes the lives of both the mother and infant. It also creates challenges of a neurosurgical, obstetric, and ethical nature. A multidisciplinary approach should be used for their care. METHODS: Between 1986 and 2015, 12 pregnant women diagnosed with brain tumors and 17 women with intracranial vascular lesion underwent treatment at the Neurosurgery Department of the Servidores do Estado Hospital and Rede D'Or/São Luis. The Neurosurgery Department teamed up with Obstetrics Anesthesiology Departments in establishing the procedures. The patients' records, surgical descriptions, imaging studies, and histopathological material were reviewed. RESULTS: Among 12 patients presenting with brain tumors, there were neither operative mortality nor fetal deaths. Among the vascular lesions, aneurysm rupture was responsible for bleeding in 6 instances. Arteriovenous malformation was diagnosed in 7 patients. In this subgroup, the maternal and fetal mortality rates were 11.7% and 23.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We can assert that the association between a brain tumor and vascular lesions with pregnancy is a very unusual event, which jeopardizes both the lives of the mother and infant. It remains incompletely characterized due to the rare nature of these potentially devastating events. Knowing the exact mechanism responsible for the interaction of pregnancy and with these lesions will improve the treatment of these patients.

The extended pterional approach allows excellent results for removal of anterior cranial fossa meningiomas.

Objective To describe a unique operative strategy, instead the classical pterional approach, and to analyses it safety and effectiveness for removal of anterior cranial fossa meningiomas. Method We identify 38 patients with tuberculum sellae and olphactory groove meningiomas operated between 1986 and 2013. Medical charts, operative reports, imaging studies and clinical follow-up evaluations were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. The pterional craniotomy is extended toward the frontal bone providing access through the subfrontal route, besides the usual anterolateral view provided by the classical pterional approach. Results Surgical mortality occurred in one patient (2.6%). Gross total resection was achieved in 27 patients (86.8%). Median time of follow-up was 69.4 months. Conclusion The extended pterional approach allows excellent results. Total removal of meningiomas of the anterior cranial fossa was obtained in 86.8 % of patients, with low morbidity and mortality.

The extended pterional approach allows excellent results for removal of anterior cranial fossa meningiomas / O acesso pterional extendido permite excelente resultado para a ressecção dos meningiomas da fossa craniana anterior

ABSTRACT Objective To describe a unique operative strategy, instead the classical pterional approach, and to analyses it safety and effectiveness for removal of anterior cranial fossa meningiomas. Method We identify 38 patients with tuberculum sellae and olphactory groove meningiomas operated between 1986 and 2013. Medical charts, operative reports, imaging studies and clinical follow-up evaluations were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. The pterional craniotomy is extended toward the frontal bone providing access through the subfrontal route, besides the usual anterolateral view provided by the classical pterional approach. Results Surgical mortality occurred in one patient (2.6%). Gross total resection was achieved in 27 patients (86.8%). Median time of follow-up was 69.4 months. Conclusion The extended pterional approach allows excellent results. Total removal of meningiomas of the anterior cranial fossa was obtained in 86.8 % of patients, with low morbidity and mortality.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever a craniotomia pterional estendida, ao invés da abordagem pterional clássica, e analisar sua segurança e eficácia para a remoção dos meningiomas da fossa anterior. Método Identificamos 38 pacientes com meningiomas do tubérculo da sela e da goteira olfatória operados entre 1986 e 2013. Os prontuários, relatórios cirúrgicos, exames de imagem e acompanhamento pós-operatório foram analisados retrospectivamente. A craniotomia pterional com extensão para o osso frontal permite acesso pela via subfrontal além da via anterolateral do acesso pterional clássico. Resultados A mortalidade cirúrgica foi de 2,6% (um paciente). A remoção total foi alcançada em 86,8% (27 pacientes) com um tempo médio de seguimento de 69,4 meses. Conclusão A abordagem pterional estendida permite excelentes resultados. A remoção total dos meningiomas da fossa craniana anterior foi obtida em 86,8% dos pacientes, com baixa morbi-mortalidade.

Foramen magnum meningiomas: To drill or not to drill the occipital condyle? A series of 12 patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite the development of microsurgery and cranial base techniques, the surgical management of Foramen Magnum Meningiomas (FMM) continues to be a technical challenge to neurosurgeons. Controversy concerning the utility of systematic condyle drilling for approaching FMM has been raised. Our aim was to describe the surgical technique, analyze its safety, and the postoperative outcome in 12 consecutive FMM patients. METHODS: From 1986 to 2011, 12 patients with FMM underwent operations in the Department of Neurosurgery at Servidores do Estado Hospital and in a private clinic. All patients were operated using a standard suboccipital craniectomy, preserving the occipital condyle, opening of the Foramen Magnum, and ipsilateral removal of the posterior arch of C1. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality, nine patients achieved Glasgow Outcome Scale 4 or 5. Condylar resection was not deemed necessary in any case. Gross total resection was achieved in nine patients. After surgery, four patients developed lower cranial nerve weakness. There was no significant postoperative complication in the remaining patients. The average follow-up is 8.2 years. CONCLUSION: The vast majority of FMM can be safely removed with a retrocondylar lateral suboccipital approach without condylar resection, using meticulous microsurgical techniques.

Carcinoma adenoide cístico intracraniano / Intracranial adenoid cystic carcinoma

Os carcinomas adenoides císticos são tumores de crescimento lento, localmente agressivos e com tendência à recorrência. Têm particular interesse por infiltrar estruturas neurais e disseminar-se pelo perineuro. Envolvimento intracraniano é raro. Descreve-se um caso de carcinoma adenoide cístico originado na glândula lacrimal esquerda e invasão do seio cavernoso. Ressonância magnética demonstrou lesão tumoral, extra-axial, bem delimitada, semelhante a um meningioma da asa do esfenoide com invasão do seio cavernoso. O paciente apresentou boa resposta ao tratamento com cirurgia e radioterapia complementar.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a relatively common head and neck tumor that is slow growing, but locally aggressive and thus prone to recurrence. It is of particular interest because of its tendency to locally infiltrate neural structures and to spread perineurally. Intracranial involvement has been regarded as rare. A case report of a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma originated in the left lacrimal gland and involving the cavernous sinus is presented. Magnetic resonance image demonstrated a welldemarcated enhancing extra-axial tumour, resembling a sphenoid ridge meningioma extending into the cavernous sinus. This patient showed a good response to treatment with surgery followed by post-operative radiotherapy.

Spinal epidural abscess: an analysis of 24 cases.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in neuroimaging and neurosurgical care, spinal abscess remains a challenging problem with mortality rates ranging from 4.6% to 31% in recent series. METHODS: Between January 1986 and December 2003, 24 patients with spinal epidural abscess were treated. Seventeen were men and 7 were women at the average age of 47.5 years. Concurrent illnesses that result in immunodepression such as diabetes and infections occurred in 62% of the case patients. All patients had back pain, 16 had muscle weakness, 9 had paresthesias, and 8 had sphincteral changes. Twenty-one patients underwent surgical procedures. In 11 case patients, the abscess had a frankly purulent material, and, in 5, the epidural lesion consisted of granulation tissue; the other 5 case patients had a combination of the 2. Three patients were treated conservatively. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 57% of the case patients. The lumbar spine was affected in 11 patients; the cervical spine, in 3. RESULTS: Fifteen patients recovered their normal neurological functions but 4 remained with some neurological disability. No deaths occurred in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate surgical drainage of the abscess, before the development of severe neurological deficit, combined with specific antibiotics remains the treatment of choice.

Fusäo cervical anterior e fixaçäo pela técnica de Caspar: experiência com 28 pacientes / Anterior cervical fusion and plate stabilization according to Caspar

Vinte e oito pacientes, com lesoes da coluna cervical, foram operados pela via anterior, empregando-se a técnica, as placas, os parafusos e o instrumental descrito por Caspar. Dentre os pacientes com traumatismos, 65,3 por cento apresentava fratura/luxaçao. Em 7 pacientes, hérnia de disco traumática, foi diagnosticada. Quatro indivíduos apresentavam facetas bloqueadas. Em todos os pacientes, uma excelente e imediata estabilizaçao pós-operatória foi conseguida. Todos os pacientes com lesao neurológica incompleta melhoraram; os 3 pacientes com transecçao medular, nao apresentaram nenhuma melhora clínica. Concluímos que a técnica de Caspar é segura e eficiente para obter-se imediata estabilizaçao da coluna cervical.

Lipomielomeningoceles: experiência com 16 casos operados / Lipomyelomeningocele: experience in 16 operated cases

Os autores analisam retrospectivamente 16 pacientes com lipomielomeningites operados por técnica microcirúrgica, de 1980 a 1991. Observaram que os pacientes que näo säo operados ou que säo operados de forma inadequada iräo apresentar paralisias dos membros inferiores e/ou alteraçöes vesicais graves. Os autores däo ênfase à necessidade de ser o procedimento cirúrgico realizado nos pacientes assintomáticos e que este procedimento libere a medula da traçäo que é exercida pelo lipoma

Endocardite infecciosa, aneurisma(s) micótico(s), hemorragia subaracnóidea e outras lesöes neurológicas: estudo clínico e anatomopatológico / Infectious endocarditis, mycotic aneurisms(s) subarachinoid hemorrhage and other neurologic lesions: clinical and anatomopathologic study

Os autores apresentam e discutem 20 observaçöes (1983-1991) de endocardite infecciosa (E.i.) com manifestaçöes clínicas neurológicas conseqüentes, principalmente, a fenômenos tromboembólicos cerebrais, muitos deles com formaçäo de aneurisma(s), que se romperam ou näo. Hemorragia subaracnóidea, conseqüente ou näo à ruptura de aneurisma micótico, foi outro achado importante. Outras lesöes neurológicas foram assinaladas no estudo clínico e na correlaçäo clínicop-patológica desta série. Sobreviveram apenas sete destes 20, dentre os quais, os quatro operados de aneurisma micótico intracraniano (casos 1 a 4). de 13 pacientes que foram a óbito, oito foram necropsiados, possibilitando uma correlaçäo entre achados clínicos e anatomopatológicos. Nestes oito casos necropsiados, a ruptura de aneurisma micótico com hemorragia foi a causa mortis. cefaléia persistente, manifestaçöes maníngeas, meningite piogênica, "meningite asséptica", hemorragia subacnóidea micro-ou macroscópica, além de sinais neurológicos de localizaçäo, representaram os sinais clínicos mais importantes na denúncia da presença de aneurisma(s) micótico(s). Em vários casos (no. 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16 e 20), a formaçäo de aneurisma(s) micótico(s) foi precedida de fenômeno tromboembólico cerebral, evento que indica, sempre, o estudo angiográfico cerebral completo na E.i. Fenômenos tromboembólicos em outras áreas levam-nos à suspeita de aneurisma(s) micótico(s) intracranianos), mesmo que o paciente näo tenha queixa neurológica alguma; observaçäo referida na literatura e constatada no presente estudo (casos 5, 7 e 19). O potencial traiçoeirao, imprevísivel e de alta gravidade do(s) aneurisma(s) micótico(s) e da hemorragia subaracnóidea pode bem ser avaliado na revisäo clínica patológica. Estes fatos recebem bastante ênfase na literatura internacional,onde há controvérsias sobre os aspectos da prevalência das lesöes vasculares, da sua patologenia e até mesmo sobre qual a melhor abordagem terapêutica diante delas...

Endocardite infecciosa e abscesso(s) cerebral(ais): estudo de 11 casos

Os autores discutem 11 casos de endocardites agudas com lesoes neurologicas, vistos durante um periodo de dois anos no Hospital dos Servidores do Estado - INAMPS/RJ. O Staphylococcus aureus foi o agente etiologico, caracterizado nao somente sob o ponto de vista microbiologico mas tambem clinicamente nos casos em que esse agente nao foi identificado nas hemoculturas. Focalizam-se especificamente, dentre as manifestacoes neurologicas, o(s) abscesso(s) cerebral(ais), que sao mais frequentemente multiplos, podendo ser microscopios ou macroscopicos. Enquanto tais lesoes sao extremamente raras nas endocardites lentas, o mesmo nao ocorre nas formas agudas. E incluido um caso de tetralogia de Fallot e abscesso cerebral, no qual a suspeita clinica inicial foi de endocardite, nao sendo contudo confirmada na necropsia (decimo segundo caso). Os fenomenos tromboembolicos com isquemia cerebral, embolos infectados e germes virulentos sao os fatores responsaveis pelo(s) abscesso(s) cerebral(ais). A etiologia estafilococica nas endocardites infecciosas tem tracado uma curva em notavel ascensao, associando-se geralmente a graves lesoes e a elevada mortalidade. Nem mesmo a introducao de eficazes antimicrobianos tem reduzido o alto percentual de agressao desse agente ao sistema nervoso nesta patologia. A presenca de abscesso(s) cerebral(ais) esta frequentemente aliada a outras graves alteracoes, incluindo-se entre estas a hipertensao intracraniana, de deficit controle, o(s) aneurisma(s) micotico(s) e o(s) sangramento(s) intracerebral(ais) ou subaracnoideo(s), alem de meningite e de outros achados que, todos, tornam o prognostico extremamente sombrio. Situacao caotica e nao rara e a ruptura de um abscesso para o sistema ventricular. A tomografia cerebral computadorizada, a angiografia de subtracao e a ressonancia magnetica representam notaveis progressos diagnosticos e elementos de extraordinaria valia no ambito terapeutico. Nao obstante tao significativos avancos, as lesoes neurologicas, sobretudo o(s) abscesso(s) cerebral(ais) e o (s) aneurisma(s) micotico (s) rompido(s) sao, ainda hoje, importantes causas de morte, enquanto, paralelamente porem em direcao oposta, a insuficiencia cardiaca e as infeccoes antes incontrolaveis passaram ao pleno dominio da tecnologia medica. A complexidade e a gravidade das endocardites agudas ficam patenteadas atraves da apresentacao de dados clinicos e microbiologicos, alem de condutas terapeuticas clinicas e cirurgicas, bem como de exames que se fizeram necessarios conforme os cursos clinicos. Por fim, os dados de necropsia definem a dramaticidade das lesoes neurologicas nessa patologia. E feita uma revisao desse tema na literatura, visando um esclarecimento interrelacionado sobre as experiencias vividas.