Endoscopic Skull Base Techniques for Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma

Imaging of the Sinonasal Cavities

This article describes the various abnormalities that affect the sinonasal cavities and discusses inflammations, tumors, and tumor-like conditions. Specific imaging evaluations that focus on the sinonasal cavities are described in more detail.

Extended Endonasal Endoscopic (EEE) Surgery with Almost No Use of Adjuvant Radiotherapy for Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA)

Background and Objectives: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is an angiomatous hamartoma of the nasal cavity. It is a benign but locally aggressive vascular tumor of the nasopharynx affecting adolescent males. Many surgical procedures are in practice, but the extended endonasal endoscopic (EEE) approach for JNAs is a suitable and effective technique. Materials and Methods: Fifteen adolescent patients having JNA who underwent extended endonasal endoscopic (EEE) surgery from January 2010 to January 2022 were studied retrospectively. Patients having residual and recurrent JNAs and those who underwent surgery other than EEE were excluded. Results: The average age of the patients was 18.3 years of age. A total of six patients (40%) each had stage V and IV while three patients (20%) had stage III JNAs. Gross total removal was achieved in eight (53.3%) patients and seven (43.7%) had partial removal. There was no per or postoperative mortality. All the patients had at least 3 years of postoperative follow-up and during follow-ups, seven patients were found to have residual tumors, and two had recurrences. Discussion: During the last decades, the endoscopic approach for the resection of JNAs has gained increasing popularity due to its obvious advantages over transfacial approaches. The magnified and angled field of view "behind the corner" helping in a more complete inspection for the resection and shorter hospitalization time makes it a better choice than the other approaches. Conclusions: Endoscopy is an excellent approach for primary JNA. It allows well visualization and precise removal of the angiofibroma. An endoscopic multiangle, multicorridor skull base approach including Denker's anteromedial maxillotomy is suitable and preferable for the resection of extensive JNAs.

Anatomic Parameters and Growth of the Pediatric Skull Base: Endonasal Access Implications

Objectives: Endoscopic endonasal anterior skull base surgery has expanding use in the pediatric population, but the anatomy of pediatric patients can lead to limitations. This study aims to characterize the important anatomical implications of the pediatric skull base using computed tomography (CT) scans. Design: Retrospective analysis Setting: Tertiary academic medical center Participants: 506 patients aged 0-18 who had undergone maxillofacial and or head CTs between 2009-2016. Methods: Measurements included piriform aperture width, nare to sella distance (NSD), sphenoid pneumatization, olfactory fossa depth, lateral lamella cribriform plate angles, and intercarotid distances (ICD) at the superior clivus and cavernous sinus. These patients were then subdivided into 3 age groups adjusting for sex. ANCOVA models were fit comparing between all age groups and by sex. Results: Piriform aperture width, NSD, sphenoid sinus pneumatization as measured using lateral aeration and anterior sellar wall thickness, olfactory fossa depth, and ICD at the cavernous sinus was significantly different among all age groups (P<0.0001). Our results show that mean piriform aperture width increased with each age group. The mean olfactory fossa depth also had consistent age dependent growth. In addition, ICD at the cavernous sinus showed age dependent changes. When comparing by sexes, females consistently showed smaller measurements. Conclusion: The process of skull base development is age and sex dependent. During preoperative evaluation of pediatric patients for skull base surgery piriform aperture width, sphenoid pneumatization in both the anterior posterior and lateral directions, and ICD at the cavernous sinus should be carefully reviewed.  

Combined endoscopic and transoral resection of a high-staged juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: A pictorial essay

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNAs) are highly vascular and benign tumors that can expand into the skull base. Delay of treatment can result in intracranial invasion, requiring extensive open approaches such as a facial translocation, maxillary swing, or an orbitozygomatic craniotomy. We describe a single-stage, combined endoscopic and transoral approach on a 14-year-old male with extensive high-stage dumbbell-shaped JNA involving the infratemporal fossa, orbit, buccal space, and intracranial extension into Meckel's cave. Successful resection of the tumor and good postoperative outcome was achieved. A transoral approach allowed for greater access to the infratemporal fossa, where endonasal resection was not possible, allowing for improved visualization, greater traction, and dissection. In select highly staged JNAs with significant lateral extension and intracranial involvement, successful and complete resection may be accomplished with this combined approach. Utilization of this approach avoids the morbidity of more invasive open approaches.

Innovations in Endonasal Sinus Surgery in Children

Although there have been many advances in new tools and procedures for endonasal sinus surgery in children, the management and care for pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis has remained relatively unchanged. However, there have been advances in skull base surgery and tumor removal and new knowledge about perioperative concerns in children. This article discusses the role and risks of endoscopic sinus surgery, the use of balloon sinuplasty in children, management of complicated rhinosinusitis, and advances in skull base tumors and choanal atresia repair.

Transoral Finger-Retraction for Endonasal Endoscopic Resection of Masseteric and Buccal Space Lesions

Lesions involving the masseteric and buccal spaces have traditionally required transoral or transcervical approaches. Herein, the authors describe the successful endonasal endoscopic resection of a juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) with significant extension into the masseteric and buccal spaces facilitated by transoral finger retraction. Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas are hypervascular tumors originating in the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) with complex relationships to skull base and orbital structures. Endoscopic approaches have allowed for resection of JNAs with excellent visualization and without traditional transfacial approaches, decreasing morbidity and reducing incidence of facial deformity with similar outcomes as open approaches. While the endonasal endoscopic approach to the masseteric and buccal spaces is unconventional, encapsulated tumors in these regions can be delivered into the nasal cavity through the maxilla and PPF with the use of transoral finger-retraction. The authors present a case of a 10-year-old male referred to their tertiary care center with left-sided epistaxis, nasal obstruction, and facial swelling. Imaging demonstrated a vascular lesion in the PPF involving the left nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, with extension into left middle cranial fossa, infratemporal fossa, orbit, and deep spaces of the neck including the masticator, masseteric, and buccal spaces. The patient underwent preoperative embolization and endoscopic endonasal surgical resection with transoral finger-retraction without complication. Transoral finger-retraction represents a supplemental technique that allows for encapsulated lesions involving the masseteric and buccal spaces to be delivered into the nasal cavity for endoscopic resection in a safe and effective fashion, preventing the need for transfacial incisions.

Facial Palsy Following Embolization of a Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma

Objectives:

To describe a case of the rare complication of facial palsy following preoperative embolization of a juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA). To illustrate the vascular supply to the facial nerve and as a result, highlight the etiology of the facial nerve palsy.

Methods:

The angiography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of a case of facial palsy following preoperative embolization of a JNA is reviewed.

Results:

A 13-year-old male developed left-sided facial palsy following preoperative embolization of a left-sided JNA. Evaluation of MR imaging studies and retrospective review of the angiographic data suggested errant embolization of particles into the petrosquamosal branch of the middle meningeal artery (MMA), a branch of the internal maxillary artery (IMA), through collateral vasculature. The petrosquamosal branch of the MMA is the predominant blood supply to the facial nerve in the facial canal. The facial palsy resolved since complete infarction of the nerve was likely prevented by collateral blood supply from the stylomastoid artery.

Conclusions:

Facial palsy is a potential complication of embolization of the IMA, a branch of the external carotid artery (ECA). This is secondary to ischemia of the facial nerve due to embolization of its vascular supply. Clinicians should be aware of this potential complication and counsel patients accordingly prior to embolization for JNA.

Juvenile Angiofibroma: Current Management Strategies

Juvenile angiofibroma (JA) is a benign, highly vascular tumor which is diagnosed on the basis of clinical and imaging features. It has a characteristic pattern of spread commonly involving the pterygopalatine fossa and pterygoid base. The mainstay of treatment is surgery, while radiotherapy is rarely used for the treatment of recurrent lesion. Endoscopic endonasal surgery is currently the treatment of choice for small to intermediate size JAs, and is feasible even for advanced lesions; however, this should only be practiced in well-experienced centers.

Orthopaedic tumors: What problems are we solving, and are universities and major medical centers doing enough?

Little has been published about the complexity of orthopaedic tumors compared to others tumors. The current study in the literature treated this problem in terms of classification, surgical intervention and impact on the patient. In this article, factors risks of tumors will be we identified. A strategy based on three dimensional simulations will be explained in order to improve the clinical trials.

Endoscopic graduated multiangle, multicorridor resection of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: an individualized, tailored, multicorridor skull base approach

OBJECT

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNAs) are formidable tumors because of their hypervascularity and difficult location in the skull base. Traditional transfacial procedures do not always afford optimal visualization and illumination, resulting in significant morbidity and poor cosmesis. The advent of endoscopic procedures has allowed for resection of JNAs with greater surgical freedom and decreased incidence of facial deformity and scarring.

METHODS

This report describes a graduated multiangle, multicorridor, endoscopic approach to JNAs that is illustrated in 4 patients, each with a different tumor location and extent. Four different surgical corridors in varying combinations were used to resect JNAs, based on tumor size and location, including an ipsilateral endonasal approach (uninostril); a contralateral, transseptal approach (binostril); a sublabial, transmaxillary Caldwell-Luc approach; and an orbitozygomatic, extradural, transcavernous, infratemporal fossa approach (transcranial). One patient underwent resection via an ipsilateral endonasal uninostril approach (Corridor 1) only. One patient underwent a binostril approach that included an additional contralateral transseptal approach (Corridors 1 and 2). One patient underwent a binostril approach with an additional sublabial Caldwell-Luc approach for lateral extension in the infratemporal fossa (Corridors 1–3). One patient underwent a combined transcranial and endoscopic endonasal/sublabial Caldwell-Luc approach (Corridors 1–4) for an extensive JNA involving both the lateral infratemporal fossa and cavernous sinus.

RESULTS

A graduated multiangle, multicorridor approach was used in a stepwise fashion to allow for maximal surgical exposure and maneuverability for resection of JNAs. Gross-total resection was achieved in all 4 patients. One patient had a postoperative CSF leak that was successfully repaired endoscopically. One patient had a delayed local recurrence that was successfully resected endoscopically. There were no vascular complications.

CONCLUSIONS

An individualized, multiangle, multicorridor approach allows for safe and effective surgical customization of access for resection of JNAs depending on the size and exact location of the tumor. Combining the endoscopic endonasal approach with a transcranial approach via an orbitozygomatic, extradural, transcavernous approach may be considered in giant extensive JNAs that have intracranial extension and intimate involvement of the cavernous sinus.

Endoscopic endonasal surgery for sinonasal and skull base lesions in the pediatric population

Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgical techniques, initially developed in adult patients, are being utilized with increasing frequency in pediatric patients to treat sinonasal and skull base lesions. This article reviews the current state of endoscopic endonasal approaches to the skull base to both treat disease and reconstruct the skull base in pediatric patients. Sinonasal and skull base embryology and anatomy are reviewed as a foundation for understanding the disease processes and surgical techniques. Selected skull base pathologies and conditions that involve the pediatric skull base are also reviewed.