The surgical approach to orbital space-occupying lesions.

From January 1985 to April 1987, 60 patients with orbital space-occupying lesions were treated surgically. Orientation and spatial localization of the lesion had already been achieved preoperatively by means of imaging methods. The decision on whether to use a neurosurgical transcranial, or a facial surgical approach, was made on this basis. The less elaborate procedure in each case was given preference to obtain a representative tissue sample. The definitive planning of the operation was then carried out with knowledge of the histology: a transcranial operation alone or as an additional measure was only necessary in six patients. Either definitive tumour therapy could be performed with or without temporal osteotomy in the remaining 54 patients exclusively via an anterior orbitotomy, or further oncological treatment was commenced after histological verification of the diagnosis.

[Odontogenic brain abscess. 2 case reports]. / Der odontogene Hirnabszess. 2 Fallberichte.

The odontogen brain abscess is a relatively rare, but very serious complication of an infection of the teeth. Frequently the bacteria found by aspiration of the brain abscess are the only indication of a dental focus. The diagnostic problems in confirming a covert dental infection as the cause of the brain abscess are illustrated.

Choice of surgical approach in orbital space occupations--an interdisciplinary problem.

During the last two and a half years 60 patients with orbital space occupying neoplasms were treated surgically at the Department of Maxillo-facial Surgery of the University Clinic of Essen. With modern imaging techniques exact information on the location and extent of space occupation was available before the operation. Therefore the surgical approach could be optimized. Despite the various and sometimes inaccessible tumor locations, transcranial operation was only necessary in six patients. In the remaining 54 patients anterior orbitotomy allowed either a definitive tumor therapy or histological verification of the diagnosis.

[Granular cell tumor of the orbit]. / Der Granularzelltumor in der Orbita.

The authors report on the rare case of the intraorbital localisation of a granular cell tumour. Nature, histogenesis and biological behaviour of this lesion are discussed. The therapeutical consequences are presented.