A modified frontal-nasal-orbital approach to midline lesions of the anterior cranial fossa and skull base: technical note with case illustrations

Microsurgical free flaps for skull base reconstruction following tumor resection: Available techniques and complications

INTRODUCTION

Resection of malignant tumors located in the anterior and middle fossae of the skull base requires thorough anatomical knowledge, as well as experience regarding the possible reconstructive options to resolve the resulting defects. The anatomical and functional relevance of the region, the complexity of the defects requiring reconstruction and the potential complications that can occur, represent a true challenge for the surgical team. The goal of this study is to describe the microsurgical reconstructive techniques available, their usefulness and postoperative complications, in patients with malignant tumors involving the skull base.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

This observational, retrospective study, included all patients who underwent surgery for malignant craniofacial tumors from January 1st, 2009 to January 1st, 2019 at a University Hospital in Argentina. Only patients who required reconstruction of the resulting defect with a free flap were included.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients required reconstruction with FF; 14 were male (58.3%) and mean age was 54.9 years. Sarcoma was the most frequent tumor histology. Free flaps used were the following: anterolateral thigh, rectus abdominis, radial, latissimus dorsi, iliac crest and fibular. Complications occurred in 6 cases and no deaths were reported in the study group.

CONCLUSION

Free flaps are considered one of the preferable choices of treatment for large skull base defects. In spite of the complexity of the technique and the learning curve required, free flaps have shown to be safe, with a low rate of serious complications. For these patients, the surgical resolution should be performed by a multidisciplinary team.

Meningiomas of the Planum Sphenoidale and Tuberculum Sella

Patients with meningiomas of the planum sphenoidale and tuberculum sella often present with insidious vision loss in one or both eyes as the only sign or symptom of their disease, although other sensory, oculomotor, and even endocrine abnormalities may be seen in a minority of cases. Incidentally discovered tumors also are common, as patients may undergo neuroimaging for unrelated symptoms or events. Depending on the size and orientation of the tumor, central vision loss from optic nerve compression may be a later sign, and loss of peripheral vision in one or both eyes may not be recognized until it has progressed to areas closer to fixation. A thorough neuroophthalmologic assessment including visual field testing will help to define the extent of optic pathway involvement. Both fundus examination and optical coherence tomography of the retinal nerve fiber layer and macular ganglion cell complex will aid in determining prognosis after treatment of the tumor. Orbital surgery rarely is indicated as primary therapy for meningiomas in this location, and surgical resection or debulking is usually pursued before consideration is given to radiation therapy. Because of the long-term risk of residual tumor growth or recurrence, neuroophthalmic surveillance along with serial neuroimaging is required for years after tumor resection and/or radiation therapy.

Anterior skull base reconstruction after tumour resection using the posterior wall of the frontal sinus

INTRODUCTION

The authors describe their experience of surgical closure of the anterior skull base after tumour resection, using the posterior wall of the frontal sinus.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The authors describe their anterior skull base closure technique performed in three patients after tumour resection. Tumour resection via a transglabellar approach resulted in an anterior skull base defect. Reconstruction consisted of direct implantation of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus without using a bone substitute (except when nasofrontal duct obstruction is required).

RESULTS

Three patients were operated by this surgical procedure with complete tumour resection in every case and no infectious complications. This technique was easy to perform, despite one case of persistent CSF leak. Follow-up imaging showed no displacement of the onlay bone graft.

CONCLUSION

Anterior skull base reconstruction after tumour resection using autologous frontal sinus bone graft is easy to perform with a low complication rate.

The evolving role of the oculoplastic surgeon in skull base surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Classical orbital approaches in skull base surgery have involved large incisions with extensive bone removal resulting in prolonged recovery with associated morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this review is to explore recent advances in skull base surgery that are applicable to the orbital surgeon.

RECENT FINDINGS

Transnasal endoscopic surgery provides access to the medial 180 degrees of the orbit. Access to the lateral 180 degrees may be obtained using transmaxillary and transcranial techniques. Transorbital approaches and multiport techniques further expand the reach of the skull base surgeon. These minimally invasive techniques are supplanting the classical pterional, frontotemporal, frontotemporal orbitozygomatic, frontal, and subfrontal approaches.

SUMMARY

The role of the orbital surgeon in skull base surgery is changing. Transnasal and transcranial approaches to orbital disorders using minimally invasive techniques are becoming more common. In addition, transorbital access to the skull base, paranasal sinuses, and anterior and middle cranial fossa is offering new opportunities for the orbital surgeon.

A simple classification of cranial-nasal-orbital communicating tumors that facilitate choice of surgical approaches: analysis of a series of 32 cases

Cranial–nasal–orbital communicating tumors involving the anterior and middle skull base are among the most challenging to treat surgically, with high rates of incomplete resection and surgical complications. Currently, there is no recognized classification of tumors with regard to the choice of surgical approaches. From January 2004 to January 2014, we classified 32 cranial–nasal–orbital communicating tumors treated in our center into three types according to the tumor body location, scope of extension and direction of invasion: lateral (type I), central (type II) and extensive (type III). This classification considerably facilitated the choice of surgical routes and significantly influenced the surgical time and amount of hemorrhage during operation. In addition, we emphasized the use of transnasal endoscopy for large and extensive tumors, individualized treatment strategies drafted by a group of multidisciplinary collaborators, and careful reconstruction of the skull base defects. Our treatment strategies achieved good surgical outcomes, with a high ratio of total resection (87.5 %, 28/32, including 16 cases of benign tumors and 12 cases of malignant tumors) and a low percentage of surgical complications (18.8 %, 6/32). Original symptoms were alleviated in 29 patients. The average KPS score improved from 81.25 % preoperatively to 91.25 % at 3 months after surgery. No serious perioperative complications occurred. During the follow-up of 3 years on average, four patients with malignant tumors died, including three who had subtotal resections. The 3-year survival rate of patients with malignant tumors was 78.6 %, and the overall 3-year survival rate was 87.5 %. Our data indicate that the simple classification method has practical significance in guiding the choice of surgical approaches for cranial–nasal–orbital communicating tumors and may be extended to other types of skull base tumors.

Surgical technique for the prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leakage after bifrontal craniotomy

BACKGROUND

Cerebrospinal fluid leakage and meningitis caused by frontal sinus (FS) exposure are characteristic complications of bifrontal craniotomy used for treating skull base tumors and anterior communicating artery aneurysms. Prevention of these complications is of utmost importance. We describe in detail our procedure for sealing exposed FSs during bifrontal craniotomy and present the results and outcomes of the procedure.

METHODS

A total of 51 consecutive patients who had undergone bifrontal craniotomy for tuberculum sellae meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas, anterior cerebral artery aneurysms, or other frontal skull base lesions at our institute were selected for the study. Our technique for sealing exposed FSs is described below. The mucosa was sterilized using surgical cotton dipped in iodine. After craniotomy, the exposed mucosa was sealed using 7-0 nylon sutures, whereas Gelfoam with fibrin glue was used to ensure watertight closure. The exposed portions of the FSs were covered by bone covers made of internal table bone and sealed. As a final layer, frontal periosteal flaps were sutured to the frontal base dura mater.

RESULTS

Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage or meningitis did not occur in any of our patients.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate the effectiveness of our technique in the prevention of FS-related postoperative complications.

Transfacial approaches to the skull base: the early contributions of harvey cushing

In this report, we review Dr. Cushing's early surgical cases at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, revealing details of his early use of craniofacial approaches for malignant pathology of the skull base. Following Institutional Review Board approval, and through the courtesy of the Alan Mason Chesney Archives, we reviewed the Johns Hopkins Hospital surgical files from 1896 to 1912, which included three patients who underwent surgical treatment of lesions involving the skull base through craniofacial approaches: two adults and one child (range 3 to 43 years). The main outcome measures were length of stay and condition recorded at the time of discharge. The indications for surgery included osteochondroma of the sphenoid sinus, sarcoma of the maxillary sinus and middle fossa, and osteoma of the frontal sinus. The mean length of stay was 24.5 days (range 7 to 45 days). Cushing employed craniofacial approaches for malignant pathology nearly 40 years before such techniques became widely used. He practiced the fundamentals of skull base surgery, including preferential removal of bone to achieving adequate exposure for resection. In addition, Cushing clearly understood the importance of proximal vascular control in approaching lesions with complex vascular involvement.

The transconjunctival transorbital approach: a keyhole approach to the midline anterior skull base

OBJECTIVE

To report an initial experience with a medial transorbital approach to the midline skull base performed via a transconjunctival incision.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed their clinical experience with this approach in the management of benign cranial base pathology. Preoperative imaging, intraoperative records, hospitalization charts, and postoperative records were reviewed for relevant data.

RESULTS

During the period 2009-2011, six patients underwent a transconjunctival craniotomy performed by a neurosurgeon and otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon working together. The indications for surgery were esthesioneuroblastoma in one patient, juvenile angiofibroma in one patient, Paget disease in one patient, and recalcitrant cerebrospinal fluid leaks in three patients. Three patients had prior cranial base surgery (either open craniotomy or an endonasal approach) done at another institution. The mean length of stay was 3.8 days; mean follow-up was 6 months. Surgery was considered successful in all cases (negative margins or no leak recurrence); diplopia was noted in one patient postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

The transconjunctival medial orbital craniectomy provides a minimally invasive keyhole approach to lesions located anteriorly along the anterior cranial fossa that are in the midline with lateral extension over the orbital roof. Based on our initial experience with this technique, the working space afforded limits complex surgical dissection; this approach is primarily well suited for less extensive pathology.

Harvey Cushing's Approaches to Tumors in His Early Career: From the Skull Base to the Cranial Vault

In this report, we review Dr. Cushing's early surgical cases at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, revealing details of his early operative approaches to tumors of the skull base and cranial vault. Following Institutional Review Board approval, and through the courtesy of the Alan Mason Chesney Archives, we reviewed the Johns Hopkins Hospital surgical files from 1896 to 1912. Participants included four adult patients and one child who underwent surgical resection of bony tumors of the skull base and the cranial vault. The main outcome measures were operative approach and condition recorded at the time of discharge. The indications for surgery included unspecified malignant tumor of the basal meninges and temporal bone, basal cell carcinoma, osteoma of the posterior skull base, and osteomas of the frontal and parietofrontal cranial vault. While Cushing's experience with selected skull base pathology has been previously reported, the breadth of his contributions to operative approaches to the skull base has been neglected.

On the shoulders of giants: Harvey Cushing's experience with acromegaly and gigantism at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1896-1912

A review of Dr. Cushing's surgical cases at Johns Hopkins Hospital revealed new information about his early operative experience with acromegaly. Although in 1912 Cushing published selective case studies regarding this work, a review of all his operations for acromegaly during his early years has never been reported. We uncovered 37 patients who Cushing treated with surgical intervention directed at the pituitary gland. Of these, nine patients who presented with symptoms of acromegaly, and one with symptoms of gigantism were selected for further review. Two patients underwent transfrontal 'omega incision' approaches, and the remaining eight underwent transsphenoidal approaches. Of the 10 patients, 6 were male. The mean age was 38.0 years. The mean hospital stay was 39.4 days. There was one inpatient death during primary interventions (10%) and three patients were deceased at the time of last follow-up (33%). The mean time to death, calculated from the date of the primary surgical intervention, and including inpatient and outpatient deaths, was 11.3 months. The mean time to last follow-up, calculated from the day of discharge, was 59.3 months. At the time of last follow-up, two patients reported resolution of headache; four patients reported continued visual deficits, and two patients reported ongoing changes in mental status. This review analyzes the outcomes for 10 patients who underwent surgical intervention for acromegaly or gigantism, and offers an explanation for Cushing's transition from the transfrontal "omega incision" to the transsphenoidal approach while practicing at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Combined craniofacial resection of anterior skull base tumors: long-term results and experience of single institution

In this article, the authors are presenting their experience and the results with combined craniofacial resection of anterior skull base tumors based on a review of 27 constitutive cases. Our data are evaluated in comparison to other major centers in other parts of the world, and possible factors that might influence surgical outcome and survival are discussed. Twenty-seven patients diagnosed with anterior skull base tumors between 1999 and 2009 were treated by combined craniofacial resection. Of these patients, there were 19 males (70, 3%) and eight females (29, 7%). The age ranged between 11 and 75 years (mean = 45.9 ± 17.6 years). The follow-up period ranged between 14 and 123 months (avarage = 74 months). The most common presenting symptoms were nasal obstruction and vision disturbance (11 patients for each -40.7%). Total resection was achieved in 24 patients (89%), while subtotal resection was done in three patients (11%). The most common complication was CSF fistule with rhinorrhea, which occurred in five patients (18.5%). Eight patients had recurrences at the time of this long-term follow-up. There were two mortalities in the early postoperative period and seven deaths in the long-term follow-up (overall mortality, 33.3%). The overall 5-year overall survival for all patients in our series was 70.4%. The 5-year overall survival was 62% for patients with malignant tumors and 100% for patients with benign tumors. Combined craniofacial resection of tumors of the anterior skull base is an effective approach for the management of these pathologies. The effectiveness is clearly demonstrated by the clinical results and outcomes of these patients' groups. The favorable prognosis is enhanced by significantly by total resection with negative tumor margins.