Transcavernous approach to diseases of the anterior upper third of the posterior fossa

Combined and staged retrosigmoid, extended middle fossa, and endoscopic transnasal approach to a petroclival chondrosarcoma: how I do it

BACKGROUND

Tumors of the petroclival region with multicompartment extension can be difficult to address with a single surgical approach.

METHOD

We present the case of a patient with a large chondrosarcoma centered at the right petroclival fissure with extension into the cavernous sinus, the region beneath the cavernous sinus, cerebellopontine angle with deformation of the pons, and prevertebral space. A staged complete resection was performed using a stage 1 single-incision combined right retrosigmoid craniotomy and extended middle fossa craniotomy, followed by a stage 2 endoscopic transnasal approach.

CONCLUSION

A combined approach to selected petroclival tumors can maximize safe resection.

Exposure region of the Kawase approach and its correlation with skull base anatomy: An evaluation with digital models

The Kawase approach is one of the most used trajectories in skull base surgery. The exposure range of the approach and its correlation with skull base anatomy still demand more exploration. With the help of digital rebuilding, analysis, and measurement, we evaluated the exposure range of the Kawase and extended Kawase approaches and analyzed the correlation between the exposure range and the variants of the petrosal and clival anatomy. The finding of the study demonstrated that compared to the sub-temporal approach, the Kawase approach and the extended Kawase approach significantly added the exposure range in the upper, middle, and partial inferior regions of the clivus. The gains in the exposure volume and area are more when the manipulation angle is less than 135°.

Case Report: Internal Carotid Artery Thrombosis: A Rare Complication After Fibrin Glue Injection for Cavernous Sinus Hemostasis

Background: Fibrin glue injection within the cavernous sinus (CS) is a demonstrably safe and simple technique to control venous bleeding with a low complication rate. However, this technique does have inherent risks. We illustrate 2 cases of internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis after fibrin glue injection in the CS for hemostasis.

Methods: After encountering this complication recently, we conducted a retrospective review of the surgical database of 2 senior neurosurgeons who specialize in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery to identify patients with any complications associated with the use of fibrin glue injection for hemostasis. Approval was given by respective institutional review boards, and patient consent was obtained.

Results: Of more than 10,000 microsurgery procedures performed by 2 senior neurosurgeons with a combined experience of 40 years, including procedures for aneurysms and skull base tumors, 2 cases were identified involving ICA thrombosis after fibrin glue injection in the CS for hemostasis. Both cases involved severe ischemic complications as a result of the ICA thrombosis. In this article, we present their clinical presentation, characteristics, management, and outcomes.

Conclusion: Direct injection of fibrin glue into the CS for hemostasis can effectively control venous bleeding and facilitate complex dissections. However, it can be associated with ICA thrombosis, with subsequent serious ischemia and poor prognosis. Although this complication appears to be rare, increased awareness of this problem should temper the routine use of fibrin glue in anterior clinoidectomy and transcavernous approaches.

Petroclival meningiomas: update of current treatment and consensus by the EANS skull base section

BACKGROUND

The optimal management of petroclival meningiomas (PCMs) continues to be debated along with several controversies that persist.

METHODS

A task force was created by the EANS skull base section along with its members and other renowned experts in the field to generate recommendations for the management of these tumors. To achieve this, the task force reviewed in detail the literature in this field and had formal discussions within the group.

RESULTS

The constituted task force dealt with the existing definitions and classifications, pre-operative radiological investigations, management of small and asymptomatic PCMs, radiosurgery, optimal surgical strategies, multimodal treatment, decision-making, and patient's counselling.

CONCLUSION

This article represents the consensually derived opinion of the task force with respect to the management of PCMs.

One-stage posterior resection is feasible for a holovertebral aneurysmal bone cyst of the axis: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

For cervical spine ABC, staged surgery and the combination of both anterior and posterior approaches are usually necessary for lesions involving all 3 (anterior, middle, and posterior) columns of the spine (holovertebral).

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 20-year-old young man presented with quadriplegia and acute urine retention lasting for 3 days in November 2006. The diagnosis of an ABC involving the C2 vertebral body, pedicles, laminae, and spinous process was made by MRI. One-stage surgery with intralesional injection of fibrin glue via the posterior approach only was able to deliver complete resection and spinal stabilization. His neurologic function recovered well, and he was able to walk independently 10 days postoperation. At the 1-year follow-up, image studies of the cervical spine demonstrated good bone fusion without recurrence of ABC. The C2 vertebral body also showed resolution of ABC and good trabeculation.

CONCLUSIONS

Intralesional injection of fibrin glue during the operation for holovertebral ABC can be beneficial to (1) avoid using an anterior approach for complete resection and reconstruction, which was usually required in previous reports, and (2) effectively decrease the blood loss during surgery.