Interdisciplinary endoscopic assisted surgery of a patient with a complete transorbital intracranial impalement through the dominant hemisphere

Endoscopic transorbital surgery for Meckel's cave and middle cranial fossa tumors: surgical technique and early results

OBJECTIVE

Tumors involving Meckel's cave remain extremely challenging because of the surrounding complex neurovascular structures and deep-seated location. The authors investigated a new minimal-access technique using the endoscopic transorbital approach (eTOA) through the superior eyelid crease to Meckel's cave and middle cranial fossa lesions and reviewed the most useful surgical procedures and pitfalls of this approach.

METHODS

Between September 2016 and January 2018, the authors performed eTOA in 9 patients with tumors involving Meckel's cave and the middle cranial fossa. The lesions included trigeminal schwannoma in 4 patients, meningioma in 2 patients, metastatic brain tumor in 1 patient, chondrosarcoma in 1 patient, and dermoid cyst in 1 patient. In 7 of the 9 patients, eTOA alone was performed, while the other 2 patients underwent a combined eTOA and endoscopic endonasal approach or retrosigmoid craniotomy. Data including details of surgical techniques and clinical outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

Gross-total resection was performed in 7 of the 9 patients (77.8%). Four patients underwent extended eTOA (with lateral orbital rim osteotomy). Drilling of the trapezoid sphenoid floor, a middle fossa "peeling" technique, and full visualization of Meckel's cave were applied to approach the lesions. Tumors were exposed and removed extradurally in 3 patients and intradurally in 6 patients. There was no postoperative CSF leak.

CONCLUSIONS

The eTOA affords a direct route to access Meckel's cave and middle cranial fossa lesions. With experience, this novel approach can be successfully applied to selected skull base lesions. To achieve successful removal of the tumor, emphasis should be placed on the importance of adequately removing the greater sphenoid wing and vertical crest. However, because of limited working space eTOA may not be an ideal approach for posterior fossa lesions.

Presentation, workup, and management of penetrating transorbital and transnasal injuries: A case report and systematic review

BACKGROUND

A foreign body (FB) penetrating intracranially after passing transorbitally or transnasally is a rare occurrence. However, otolaryngologists are increasingly being asked to participate in the care of these patients for both endoscopic removal of the object and repair of any skull base defects.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the presentation, workup, and management of transnasal or transorbital penetrating FB injury.

METHODS

Systematic review of the presentation, workup, and management of transnasal or transorbital penetrating FB injury; plus, a case report of a 53-year-old woman with a transorbital penetrating rose bush branch. We searched medical literature data bases, which resulted in 215 total titles, which were then narrowed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Thirty-five cases of transorbital or transnasal low-velocity trauma that involved the paranasal sinuses were reviewed from 33 articles. The average age was 30 years, 40% of the objects were made of wood. Fifty-seven percent of the cases were transorbital, whereas 43% were transnasal. Forty-six percent of the surgical interventions were completed endoscopically or with endoscopic assistance. Complications of injury were common, with 66% of patients experiencing cerebrospinal fluid leaks; 23%, permanent blindness; 17%, meningitis; 14%, ophthalmoplegia; 9%, decreased visual acuity; and 3%, brain abscess. Our patient presented with a traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leak, and recovered well after transorbital and endoscopic removal of the branch, skull base repair, and a prolonged course of antibiotics and antifungal medications.

CONCLUSIONS

Transnasal and transorbital penetrating FB injuries are a relatively uncommon occurrence but when they do occur require rapid workup and interdisciplinary management to prevent acute and delayed complications.

Nonmissile Penetrating Head Injuries: Surgical Management and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Nonmissile penetrating head injuries (NPHIs) in the civilian population are rare but potentially fatal. Although numerous cases have been reported in the literature, the surgical management of such injuries is still ambiguous, especially with development of surgical techniques. Here, we report 5 cases of NPHIs managed with different surgical techniques and review the literature on surgical treatment of these injuries to outline the appropriate management for these patients from a neurosurgical perspective.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 5 cases of NPHIs managed surgically in our department. The clinical data were collected, including cause, type of objects, way of penetration, initial clinical evaluation, imaging, surgical intervention, postoperative care, complication, follow-up, and outcome. In addition, a systematic review of the literature was performed in the PubMed database to search for articles on surgical treatment of these injuries.

RESULTS

These 5 cases were caused by twisted steel bar, electric welding rod, and sewing needle, respectively. Preoperative imaging, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and digital subtraction angiography, was selectively performed to assist the operative plan. Foreign objects were removed surgically in all cases. Postoperative prophylactic administration of antibiotics and anticonvulsants was used to prevent infectious and epileptic complications. Most of the patients achieved a better outcome except for one.

CONCLUSIONS

NPHIs can be fatal but they can be managed with satisfactory results by proper preoperative imaging evaluation, rapid appropriate surgical management, and accurate postoperative care. Personalized surgical intervention should be undertaken depending on the mechanism and extent of the NPHI.