A novel technique to manage internal carotid artery injury in endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery in the premise of proximal and distal controls

Report on Pseudoaneurysm Caused by Injury of Internal Carotid Artery During Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery and Rebleeding After Treatment With Willis Covered Stent

OBJECTIVE

Report on a case of pseudoaneurysm which was caused by injury of the internal carotid artery (ICA) during endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES), which was followed by rebleeding after treatment with a Willis covered stent.

METHODS

A woman, aged 68, underwent EES for the treatment of a pituitary adenoma. During the surgery, the right ICA was injured, and successfully hemostasis by packed with cottonoid and gelatin sponge. Besides, cerebral angiography was performed in the interventional operating room for the purpose of discovering the formation of a pseudoaneurysm in the cavernous sinus segment of ICA, which was treated with a covered stent. After successfully placing the covered stent, the patient was promptly transferred to the general operating room for the removal of the cottonoid and to address the bleeding once again. The authors employ crushed muscles and cottonoid to locally compress and stop bleeding. Owing to concerns about the risk of rebleeding in the patient, after stent implantation, the patient did not utilize antiplatelet drugs. After the surgery, the patient developed occlusion of the right ICA and massive cerebral infarction in the right hemisphere. Dehydration, anti-infection, rehabilitation, hyperbaric oxygen, as well as related treatments, were given. The cottonoid was removed in EES 2 months postsurgery, and no instances of bleeding were observed. Six months after surgery, the patient had clear consciousness and hemiplegia in the left limb, with a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 4.

RESULTS

The ICA was injured during EES, which resulted in the formation of a pseudoaneurysm, the Willis stent was adopted for treatment, and there was a risk of rebleeding after the nasal packing (cottonoid, crushed muscles) was removed immediately.

CONCLUSIONS

The ICA was injured during EES after bleeding was controlled by packing with cottonoid, crushed muscles, etc, subsequently, the patient was given intravascular treatment, it is advised to make thorough preparations and, after a suitable period, remove nasal packing in the hybrid operating room to address unexpected situations and unforeseen circumstances.

Endoscopic Endonasal Internal Carotid Artery Transposition Technique in Tumor With Parasellar Extension: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Lateralization or mobilization of the internal carotid artery (ICA) during a midline approach is required to expose lesions behind or lateral to the ICA. However, there have been no published data regarding the surgical outcomes of the endoscopic endonasal internal carotid transposition technique (EEITT). This study aimed to analyze the relevant surgical anatomy around the ICA and propose a grading scheme of EEITT.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients who underwent EEITT at a single institution was performed. Based on structures that limited the ICA and intraoperative findings, an anatomically surgical grading scheme of EEITT was proposed.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients (mean age 45.6 years, 57.1% female patients) were included. Of them, 29 cases (69.0%) were Knosp grade 4 pituitary adenoma, 6 cases (14.3%) were chordoma, 6 cases (14.3%) were meningioma, and a single case (2.4%) was meningeal IgG4-related disease. The EEITT was categorized into Grades 1, 2 and 3, which was used in 24 (57.1%), 12 (28.6%), and 6 (14.3%) cases, respectively. The most common symptom was visual disturbance (45.2%). The gross total resection rate in Grade 1 (79.2%) and Grade 2 (83.3%) was much higher than that in Grade 3 (66.6%). The overall rate of visual function improvement, preoperative cranial nerve (CN) palsy improvement, and postoperative hormonal remission was 89.4%, 85.7%, and 88.9%, respectively. The rate for the following morbidities was cerebrospinal fluid leakage, 2.4%; permanent diabetes insipidus, 4.8%; new transient CN palsy, 9.5%; permanent CN palsy, 4.7%; panhypopituitarism, 7.1%; and ICA injury, 2.4%.

CONCLUSION

The EEITT is technically feasible and could be graded according to the extent of disconnection of limiting structures. For complex tumor with parasellar extensions, the distinction into Grades 1, 2, and 3 will be of benefit to clinicians in predicting risks, avoiding complications, and generating tailored individualized surgical strategies.

Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Trigeminal Schwannomas: Tailored Approaches Based on Lesion Traits

OBJECTIVES

To describe four endoscopic endonasal subapproaches, namely, the trans-lamina papyracea, trans-prelacrimal recess, trans-Meckel's cave, and transclival approaches for trigeminal schwannomas (TSs).

METHODS

This retrospective study reviewed the medical records and intraoperative videos of 38 patients with TSs who underwent endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) between Jan 2013 and Dec 2021.

RESULTS

According to Jeong's classification, for TS equally in middle and posterior fossae (MP), a purely trans-Meckel's cave approach was carried out in 2 cases, and a combined transclival approach was carried out in 4 cases. The four tumors that involved infratemporal fossa (two E3, one mE3, and one Mpe3) were performed via a trans-prelacrimal recess approach, and type Mpe3 was also assisted by the trans-Meckel's cave approach. One patient with type E1 was treated with a trans-lamina papyracea approach. The other 27 cases, including type M, Mp, ME2, and MpE2, were all removed by a purely trans-Meckel's cave approach. Thirty-six patients (97.4%) received total resection under a purely EEA. The functional abilities and preoperative symptoms of 31 patients (88.6%) improved. Eight (21.1%) patients experienced permanent neurological function deficits. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid and intraoperative internal carotid artery injury occurred in 1 (2.6%) patient.

CONCLUSION

According to the specific endoscopic endonasal subapproaches corresponding to the different TS locations, satisfactory results can be obtained for most types of tumors. It represents an effective alternative to the open transcranial approach and can also be properly used in most types of TS with experienced hands.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 133:2564-2571, 2023.

Subclassification of Knosp Grade 4 Pituitary Adenoma: Bringing Insights Into the Significance of Tumor Growth Pathways

BACKGROUND

Understanding the growth pathway of Knosp grade 4 pituitary adenoma (KG4PA) has a direct impact on surgical planning and safety for tumor eviction.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the different characteristics between KG4PAs with a focus on the tumor growth pathway and its relationship to the cavernous segment of internal carotid artery.

METHODS

Clinical data from 129 patients with KG4PAs who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery were retrospectively reviewed. A subclassification scheme was proposed based on the tumor growth pathway and its relevant features. The clinical connotation of the subclassification on surgical outcomes was also analyzed.

RESULTS

The KG4PAs were classified into 3 types based on the tumor growth pathway and its relevant features: groups A, B, and AB. The gross total resection rate in group A (51.2%) was much lower than that in group B (87.5%) and AB (87%) with a significant difference between the 3 groups ( P = .0004). The overall rate of visual function improvement, preoperative cranial nerve (CN) palsy improvement, and postoperative hormonal remission was 85.1%, 83.3%, and 85.7%, respectively. The rate of transient CN palsy, permanent CN palsy, permanent diabetes insipidus, panhypopituitarism, CSF leakage, and internal carotid artery injury was 7.8%, 3.9%, 4.7%, 2.3%, 1.5%, and 0.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The subclassification strengthens our understanding of KG4PAs on tumor growth corridors and topographic relations of tumor and cavernous segment of internal carotid artery. Furthermore, the distinction into groups 4A, 4B, and 4AB is of benefits for selecting approaches, predicting risk and avoiding complications, and generating more tailored individualized surgical strategies for KG4PAs with better outcomes.

Emergency treatment and anesthesia management of internal carotid artery injury during neurosurgery: Four case reports

BACKGROUND

During skull base surgery, intraoperative internal carotid artery (ICA) injury is a catastrophic complication that can lead to fatal blood loss or secondary cerebral ischemia. Appropriate management of ICA injury plays a crucial role in the prognosis of patients. Neurosurgeons have reported multiple techniques and management strategies; however, the literature on managing this complication from the anesthesiologist’s perspective is limited, especially in the aspect of circulation management and airway management when patients need transit for further endovascular treatment.

CASE SUMMARY

We describe 4 cases of ICA injury during neurosurgery; there were 3 cases of pathologically proven pituitary adenoma and 1 case of cavernous sinus endothelial meningioma. After the onset of ICA injury, all four patients were immediately transferred for endovascular therapy under general anesthesia with vital signs monitored and mechanical ventilation. Three patients were transferred to the hybrid operating room, and one patient was transferred to the catheter operating room. Three patients underwent covered stent implantation, and one patient underwent embolization. All four patients experienced hypovolemic shock and received blood products infusion and vasoactive drugs to maintain stable circulation. After the neurosurgery, one patient was extubated and returned to the ward, and the other three were delayed tracheal extubation and returned to the intensive care unit. One patient died from serious neurological complications after 62 d in the hospital, but the other three showed good clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

ICA injury imposes a high risk of massive hemorrhage and subsequent infarction. Immediate treatment is critical and requires interdisciplinary collaboration among neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and interventional neuroradiologists. Effective hemostatic methods, stable hemodynamics sufficient to ensure perfusion of vital organs, airway safety during transit, rapid localization and implementation of appropriate measures to occlude the damaged vessel are strong guarantees of patient safety.