Cranial base endoscopic surgery

INTRODUCTION: Skull base meningiomas constitute a complex group of skull base tumors. The endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEA) and endoscopic Keyhole have a minimally invasive philosophy with high effectiveness, safety, and a significant decrease in postoperative morbidity in these tumors. OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of the use of minimally invasive approaches to skull base meningiomas. METHOD: A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out in 140 patients at the "Hermanos Ameijeiras" Hospital who underwent surgery for cranial base meningiomas using minimally invasive approaches to the cranial base...

An in-depth understanding of the anatomy of the craniocervical junction (CCJ) is indispensable in skull base neurosurgery. In this paper, we discuss the osteology of the occipital bone, the atlas (C1) and axis (C2), the ligaments and the muscle anatomy of the CCJ region and their relationships with the vertebral artery. We will also discuss the trajectory of the vertebral artery and review the anatomy of the jugular foramen and lower cranial nerves (IX to XII). The most important surgical approaches to the CCJ, including the far lateral approach, the anterolateral approach of Bernard George and the endoscopic endonasal approach, will be discussed to review the surgical anatomy...

Introduction  The endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach (EETPA) with or without the addition of the endoscopic-assisted sublabial anterior transmaxillary approach (ESTA) has become increasingly utilized for lesions posterior to the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF), including infratemporal fossa (ITF), lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus, Meckel's cave, petrous apex, and parapharyngeal space. The main goal of this study is to develop an educational resource to learn the steps of the EETPA for trainees...

BACKGROUND: In February 2021 Medtronic® (Minneapolis, MN) launched the HUGOTM Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) System in the global market. The aim of the current study is to describe the first cases series and the optimal setup of robot-assisted pyeloplasty procedure, performed with HUGOTM RAS system in a tertiary referral robotic center. METHODS: Data from consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted pyeloplasty at OLV Hospital (Aalst, Belgium) were recorded...

BACKGROUND: Surgical approaches to the anterior cranial fossa have great risk of damaging the olfactory tract and bulb. The goal of this study was to describe the outer arachnoid envelope around the olfactory bulb which plays significant role in the approach-related injury of the nerve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 20 fresh human cadaveric heads were examined as a following: 5 cadaveric heads were used to describe a gross overview of the topographic anatomy of the outer arachnoid cover of the olfactory bulb...

BACKGROUND: A temporo-sphenoidal encephalocoele occurs when temporal lobe herniates through a defect in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone into the sphenoid air sinus. The natural history is not well-understood, though presentation in adulthood with CSF rhinorrhoea and/or meningitis is typical. Lateral pneumatisation of the sphenoid sinus and elevated BMI may be contributory. AIMS: We explored the feasibility of a transorbital approach (TOA) for repair, using a combination of 3D modelling and simulation...

PURPOSE: Clinical presentations encompass respiratory, feeding issues, nasopharyngeal mass, meningitis, CSF leakage, craniofacial anomalies, and endocrine problems. Surgery is the primary treatment, transitioning from frontal craniotomy to endoscopic methods, offering improved outcomes. Yet, more studies are needed. A comprehensive review on trans-sellar trans-sphenoidal encephalocele (TSTSE) is missing. Our study aims to fill this gap, offering a comprehensive perspective for physicians...

BACKGROUND: In this study, we identified key discrete clinical and technical factors that may correlate with primary reconstructive success in endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS). METHODS: ESBS cases with intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks at four tertiary academic rhinology programs were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression identified factors associated with surgical outcomes by defect subsite (anterior cranial fossa [ACF], suprasellar [SS], purely sellar, posterior cranial fossa [PCF])...

OBJECTIVE: In this prospective non-randomized study we reported our experience related to planum sphenoidale (PS) and tuberculum sellae (TS) meningiomas in a similar cohort of patients operated via the endonasal or the supraorbital route. A comprehensive quality of life analysis has been performed. METHODS: Being comparable in general features, between November 2017 to January 2020, a total of 20 patients with anterior skull base meningioma were included. Hence, 10 patients were treated using the supraorbital keyhole procedure (SO) while 10 patients received an endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA)...

INTRODUCTION: The transorbital route has been proposed for addressing orbital and paramedian skull base lesions. It can be complemented by further marginotomies, as per "extended-transorbital approach" and combined with others ventro-basal approaches featuring the concept of "multiportal surgery". Nevertheless, it cannot address some anatomical regions like the clinoid, carotid bifurcation and the Sylvian fissure. Therefore, we propose a combined transorbital and a supraorbital approach, attainable by a single infra-brow incision, and we called it "Uniportal multicorridor" approach...

OBJECTIVE: Recovery of abducens nerve palsy (ANP) after endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (ESBS) has been shown to be potentially predicted by postoperative ophthalmological examination. Triggered electromyography (t-EMG) and free-run electromyography (f-EMG) activity provide an intraoperative assessment of abducens nerve function, but associations with long-term ANP outcomes have not been explored. The objective of this study was to describe intraoperative abducens EMG characteristics and determine whether these electrophysiological profiles are associated with immediately postoperative and long-term ANP outcomes after ESBS...

BACKGROUND: Exoscopy in neurosurgery offers various advantages, including increased freedom of the viewing axis while the surgeon maintains a comfortable upright position. However, the optimal monitor positioning to avoid interference with surgical manipulation remains unresolved. Herein, the authors describe two cases in which a three-dimensional head-mounted display (3D-HMD) was introduced into a transcranial neurosurgical procedure using an exoscope. OBSERVATIONS: Case 1 was a 50-year-old man who presented with recurrent epistaxis and was diagnosed with an olfactory neuroblastoma that extended from the nasal cavity to the anterior cranial base and infiltrated the right anterior cranial fossa...

BACKGROUND: Pediatric esthesioneuroblastoma (EN) can infiltrate skull base anatomy, presenting challenges due to high radiation doses and pediatric tissue sensitivity. This study reports outcomes of pediatric EN treated with proton radiotherapy (PT). PROCEDURE: Using an IRB-approved prospective outcomes registry, we evaluated patient, tumor, and treatment-related variables impacting disease control and toxicity in pediatric nonmetastatic EN treated with modern multimodality therapy, including PT...

PURPOSE: Pituitary transposition is a novel surgical approach to access the retroinfundibular space and interpeduncular cistern. Few studies have evaluated post-surgical outcomes, including incidence of hyponatremia, following pituitary transposition. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including 72 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery involving pituitary transposition for non-pituitary derived tumors over a decade at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center...

BACKGROUND: Advances in microscopic and endoscopic surgical techniques have outpaced traditional classification and transcranial surgical strategies, especially with reference to the treatment of trigeminal schwannomas (TSs). A modified TS classification is proposed and appropriate surgical strategies are discussed. METHODS: The cases of 93 patients who underwent surgical treatment in Beijing Tiantan Hospital in the previous 6 years were analyzed retrospectively, and a literature review was conducted...

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of variable anatomy, narrow frontal sinus ostium and vital anatomical structures near outflow tract, is very important during preoperative planning for exposure of the frontal sinus recess during endoscopic sinus surgery. Preoperative knowledge of distance of nasofrontal beak and anterior skull base from columella is very helpful in avoiding intraoperative complication by deeper penetration into cranial cavity. AIM: To analyse distance from columella to the anterior and posterior border of the Frontal sinus ostium in males and females by CT PNS...

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic suturectomy is a widely practiced surgical option for infants with craniosynostosis. But the efficacy and safety of the procedure remain unclear in syndromic patients. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic suturectomy for patients with syndromic craniosynostosis. METHODS: From January 2013 to December 2020, 242 patients underwent endoscopic suturectomy at our institution. The surgical outcome was determined to be favorable or unfavorable based upon the necessity of an additional cranial surgery upon the last follow-up...

The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is a rapidly growing, minimally invasive discipline applied to a broad set of skull base tumors. The introduction of the endoscopic endonasal approach for the management of lesions of the skull base has produced a paradigm shift in the way these complicated lesions are managed. The extended endonasal approach provides the most direct route to the anterior cranial base including sella, cribriform plate, planum sphenoidale, suprasellar cistern, clivus and foramen magnum...

After a transnasal endoscopic resection of a high-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma that underwent adjuvant chemoradiation, there was delayed recurrence managed by en bloc resection through an open craniofacial approach. Subsequently, the patient developed a chronic nasocranial fistula with secondary infection and bone flap resorption. This resulted in infectious episodes with secondary scalp incisional dehiscence and hardware exposure which required multiple bone debridement procedures, hardware removal, prolonged IV antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen treatment...

The landscape of cranial base surgery has undergone monumental transformations over the past several decades. This article serves as a comprehensive survey, detailing both the historical and current techniques and technologies that have propelled this field into an era of unprecedented capabilities and sophistication. In the prologue, we traverse the historical evolution from rudimentary interventions to the state-of-the-art neurosurgical methodologies that define today's practice. Subsequent sections delve into the anatomical complexities of the anterior, middle, and posterior cranial fossa, shedding light on the intricacies that dictate surgical approaches...