The extended endoscopic approach to perisellar and skull base lesions: is one nostril enough?

Analysis of the impact of a rhinologist-assisted endoscopic approach on a single neurosurgeon's outcomes in transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas

OBJECTIVES

Determine the improvements in outcomes of transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection following addition of a skull base rhinologist to the neurosurgical team.

DESIGN

All patients that underwent transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenoma were identified. Demographic data, Otolaryngology (ENT) involvement, initial adenoma size, extent of resection, hormonal secretion status, visual field exam, post-operative DI, CSF leak, recurrence, need for nasoseptal flap (NSF), re-operation rate were all collected. A linear-regression model adjusteds for confounders.

SETTING

A single academic institution PARTICIPANTS: 271 patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery between 2015 and 2020. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measures were Extent of Resection and Endocrinologic remission.

RESULTS

Of the 271 patients identified, 228 (84 %) patients had macroadenomas, one-third of patients presented with bitemporal hemianopsia, and 27 % (72) were hormonally active. For these and demographics there were no statistically significant differences between the microscopic or endoscopic approach (EEA) groups. For patients with cavernous sinus invasion of >50 %, EEA was more likely to achieve gross total resection (GTR) (OR 2.6; p<0.001). For patients who had prior sellar surgery, EEA was 2.5x more likely to get a GTR (p=0.05). The EEA approach resulted in an extra hospital day (1-2 vs 2-3 p<0.05) and surgery lasted an additional hour (1.17 vs 2.5, p<0.05), but did not require fat grafts or lumbar drains on a routine basis.

CONCLUSIONS

While the operating time and LOS were longer, the EEA approach performed by two specialized co-surgeons demonstrates superior value for adenomas that have had a prior surgical attempt or with significant cavernous sinus invasion.

Endonasal endoscopic or endoscopic-assisted transcranial surgery of Rathke's cleft cysts: does the approach and surgical technique influence the radicality and recurrence rate?

OBJECTIVE

Resections of symptomatic Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) are mainly performed via an endonasal transsphenoidal approach. However, there is a lack of equivalent data in current literature concerning transcranial keyhole approach in the treatment of RCCs. In order to find general recommendations for the surgical treatment of RCCs also with regard to recurrence, the object of this study is the analysis and comparison of both techniques.

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients having been surgically treated between January 2004 and August 2019 were retrospectively analysed. The transsphenoidal approach was chosen in 16 cases and the transcranial keyhole approach in 13 cases. Both surgical techniques were analyzed and compared concerning preoperative symptoms and cyst characteristics, complications, surgical radicality, endocrinological and ophthalmological outcome and recurrences in patients´ follow up.

RESULTS

The postoperative outcome of both techniques was identic and showed highly satisfying success rates with 92% for neurological deficits, 82% for endocrinological dysfunctions and 86% for visual deficits. In contrast, momentous postoperative complications were significantly more likely after transsphenoidal operations. After a mean follow-up time of 5.7 years, the recurrence rates of both cohorts were the same with 0% each.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding its equal outcome with its lower complication rate, the authors suggest using the supraorbital keyhole approach for RCCs whose anatomical configuration allow both techniques. Yet, the decision should always consider the surgeon's personal experience and other individual patient characteristics. Further studies with higher numbers of cases and longer follow-up periods are necessary to analyse the effect of the selected approach on recurrence.

Sellar metastasis: A rare intraoperative finding - surgical treatment, strategies and outcome

OBJECTIVE

The sellar region, though uncommon for metastatic spread, may become more prevalent due to longer survival of patients with metastatic malignancies. Compression of adjacent vital anatomy can cause disabling symptoms and endocrine disturbances, leading to significant morbidity METHODS: This study analyzed sellar pathologies treated via endonasal approach from January 2011 to December 2021 to assess the incidence of sellar metastases. Patient demographics, presenting symptoms, radiological and histological findings, management, and outcomes were evaluated RESULTS: Among 334 patients treated during the study period, eight (2.3 %) had metastases confirmed histopathologically, with one having a known malignant tumor history. Preoperative imaging suspected malignancy or metastasis in two cases. Diagnosis was unexpectedly confirmed in 57 % of cases. Subtotal resection was achieved in three cases, near-total resection in one. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years, with 71 % mortality CONCLUSIONS: The sellar region can manifest metastatic disease, with sellar symptoms potentially indicating neoplastic disease onset. Rapid hormonal dysfunction or ophthalmoplegia suggests metastasis, even without a known primary. Further meta analysis of reported cases is necessary to determine the incidence and optimal treatment of these rare metastases.

Orbital Infection Due to Medial Wall Fracture: Three Cases of Orbital Complications Caused by Paranasal Sinusitis Secondary to Medial Orbital Wall Fracture

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to report 3 cases of orbital complications in patients with secondary sinusitis due to medial orbital wall fracture. We believe that sinusitis can be secondary to the fracture of the medial orbital wall when the sinus drainage orifice is blocked due to some fracture pieces or other blocking factors. We precisely show the direct evidence of the blocking factors through radiology.

DESIGN

Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients had intraorbital complications and a history of traumatic orbital medial fracture as well as imaging findings of sinusitis.

METHODS

A medical record review of clinical history, imaging studies, and surgical and treatment outcomes were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative visual acuity, appearance, eye movement, surgical and imaging findings.

RESULTS

Three patients (2 males and 1 female; average age 38.33 years [range, 11-65]) received endoscopic surgery for orbital complications related to sinusitis. All patients had evidence of paranasal sinusitis after the orbital injury. Two patients were treated with antibiotics before the operation, but there was no significant improvement. All patients underwent transnasal endoscopic sinotomy. Two patients received orbital abscess incision and drainage surgery and 1 patient underwent a cyst excision operation. The visual acuity of the 3 patients was improved after the operation, and the clinical examination was significantly improved.

CONCLUSIONS

The anatomy of the orbit is closely related to the nasal cavity. The fracture of the medial orbital wall often causes abnormal anatomy of the sinus outflow tract. For the 3 of our patients, the blocking factors of sinus orifices were fracture fragment, orbital bone deformation, and the formation of giant nasal intraorbital mucocele. Sinusitis possibly occurs when drainage is not smooth. Infections develop due to the secretions retaining and accumulation of microorganisms. Inflammation from the sinus can be spread into the orbit in various ways. Our 3 patients indicate that a fracture of the inner orbital wall may cause sinusitis. When the patient is injured again or sneezing or in other conditions when the pressure in the nasal cavity increases, inflammation of the sinuses enters the orbit, causing serious intraorbital complications. It is necessary to carefully follow-up on the medical history, combined with imaging examination, to prevent the misdiagnosis of intraorbital hemorrhage or hematoma from affecting the treatment.In recent years, more and more cases of intraorbital complications caused by sinusitis have been reported.1,2 Severe intraorbital inflammation can pose a threat to vision and even life. With the great tool of the endoscope, nasal-orbital problems can be well solved. For our 3 patients, we opened the paranasal sinus and removed the occlusion of the sinus orifice through transnasal endoscopy. All patients achieved good surgical and clinical results.

Microsurgical Anatomy of the Inferomedial Paraclival Triangle: Contents, Topographical Relationships and Anatomical Variations

The inferomedial triangle is one of the two surgical triangles in the paraclival subregion of the skull base. It is delineated by the posterior clinoid process, the dural entrance of the trochlear nerve and the dural entrance of the abducens nerve. The aim of the present article is to describe the anatomical variations within the inferomedial triangle. Measurements of the triangle’s borders and area were supplemented by detailed observations of the topographical anatomy and various arrangements of its contents. Nine adult cadaveric heads (18 sides) and 28 sagittal head sections were studied. The mean area of the inferomedial triangle was estimated to be 60.7 mm². The mean lengths of its medial, lateral and superior borders were 16.1 mm, 11.9 mm and 10.4 mm, respectively. The dorsal meningeal artery was identified within the inferomedial triangle in 37 out of 46 sides (80.4%). A well-developed petrosphenoidal ligament of Grüber was identified within the triangle on 36 sides (78.3%). Although some structures were variable, the constant contents of the inferomedial triangle were the posterior petroclinoid dural fold, the upper end of the petroclival suture, the gulfar segment of the abducens nerve and the posterior genu of the intracavernous internal carotid artery.

A case series and review of the mononostril endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach: Safe and effective in a low resource setting

BACKGROUND

A transnasal transsphenoidal (TNTS) approach can be performed through a binostril or mononostril technique. The binostril technique is generally preferred, however the mononostril may be an underutilized approach with significant benefits.

METHODS

All (n = 521) pituitary adenoma transsphenoidal surgeries performed from March 2008 until July 2017 at a university hospital in Indonesia were isolated. The majority (n = 512) were performed through a mononostril approach with no nasal speculum by a single experienced neurosurgeon. A PubMed literature review researching the differences in indications, techniques, and outcomes for both approaches supplements the case series. The mononostril surgical technique is described in detail.

RESULTS

The average mononostril operating time was 105 min. The most prevalent surgical complications were CSF leak (4.1 %), diabetes insipidus (3.7 %) and cacosmia (2.1 %). Visual field deficits noted in 85 %, 89 % improved. Length of stay was less than 2 days for 90 %, with 13 ICU admissions (average one day). Recurrence rate was 8.2 % at follow up (1-10 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on a literature review, binostril TNTS surgeries have longer operative time and a higher risk of epistaxis. According to our experience, post-operative patient comfort and satisfaction are higher with the monostril approach. Furthermore, this technique is easier to teach, ENT assistance unnecessary, and thus especially advantageous in low resource settings. Our CSF leak and tumor recurrence rates were lower than reported binostril rates in the literature. The mononostril technique is both safe and effective and should be strongly considered for an appropriately pre-selected subset of pituitary adenomas.