Clinical useness of multimodal techniques in microsurgical resection of cerebral arteriovenous malformation / 中华外科杂志

Objective@#To explore the clinical useness of intraoperative functional neuronavigation and fluorescent indocyanine green(ICG) angiography as well as electrophysiological evaluation during microsurgical resection of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM).@*Methods@#A series of 42 consecutive cases with AVM underwent microsurgery by intraoperative functional neuronavigation at Department of Neurosurgery of People′s Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2009 to February 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 42 patients, 29 were males and 13 were females aging from 4 to 62 years (mean age 32.6 years). Preoperative assessment included functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging to identify the relationship between lesions and eloquent areas. The results of images were integrated into three-dimensional datasets to achieve intraoperative microscopic-based functional neuronavigation during AVM resection. Operations involved in motor areas and corticospinal tract were performed under continuous electrophysiological monitoring. ICG angiography was performed at pre-dissection, post-clipping of the feeders, and post-resection of the nidus. FLOW 800 software presented a color map and ICG intensity-time curve to demostrate the vascular architecture. Postoperative digital subtraction angiography was re-examined routinely to evaluate the extent of resection. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with the modified Rankin Scale.@*Results@#All patients underwent surgery under intraoperative navigation. Of the 42 patients, total resection was achieved in 36 cases (85.7%, 36/42) including 14 cases of AVM in eloquent areas. A total of 40 ICG angiographies were successfully performed among 11 patients. Average number of ICG injections per operation was 3.6 (ranging from 3 to 6). Feeders were visualized in 10 patients and drainers were visualized in 9 cases. The post-surgical follow-up period varied from 3 months to 70 months (mean 22.5 months). 83.8% of the patients returned to normal work and life during the followed-up period.@*Conclusion@#Combining intraoperative neuronavigation and electrophysiological monitoring, as well as fluorescent ICG angiography contribute to microsurgical resection of cerebral AVM effectively in selecting suitable patients, further avoiding neurologic compromise as well.

Treatment for giant pituitary adenomas through transcranial approach in a series of 112 consecutive patients / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical features, surgical transcranial approaches and outcomes of giant pituitary adenomas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A series of 112 consecutive cases of giant pituitary adenomas underwent microsurgery through transcranial approaches at People' s Liberation Army General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 112 patients, 58 were male and 54 were female, with age ranging from 3 to 72 years(mean age 44. 3 years). There were 91 non-functioning adenomas and 21 hormone-secreting adenomas. The maximum tumor diameter varied from 4. 0 to 7. 2 cm, with mean diameter of 4. 8 cm. Unilateral subfrontal approach was chosen in 16 cases, pterional approach in 41 cases, anterior interhemispheric approach in 34 cases, transcallosal-interforniceal approach in 6 cases, transcortical- transventricular approach in 5 cases, combined approach in 6 cases and other approaches in 4 cases. Postoperative MRI and endocrine function were re-examined routinely to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Staged operation through transsphenoidal approach or adjuvant treatments including medical and radiation therapies were administered in patients with hormone-secreting adenomas when hormonal excess persisted after surgery and in patients with non-functioning adenomas who had postoperative MRI evidence of residual tumor.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total removal of the lesion was achieved in 57 cases (50. 9%) , 26 patients (23. 2%) underwent subtotal resection, and 29 patients (25. 9%) underwent partial removal. Postoperative mortality occurred in 3 patients (2. 7%). Major surgical morbidity occurred in 38 patients (33. 9%). Vision was preserved or improved in 98 patients (87. 5%). The postsurgical follow-up period varied from 3 to 64 months (mean 19. 5 months) . Nineteen of the 21 patients with hormone-secreting adenomas were considered to be in hormonal remission, and 87. 2% of the cases were capable of normal work and life and 8 patients suffered recurrence during the followed-up period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Selection of appropriate transcranial approaches is the key to successful microsurgery for giant pituitary adenomas according to the morphological characteristics presented in image examinations and clinical symptoms. Staged transsphenoidal operation and/or adjuvant therapies including medical and radiation therapies offer the best chances to control the residual tumors after the maximal surgical removal of giant adenomas through transcranial approaches.</p>

Anterior interhemispheric approach through the lamina terminalis for large intra- and extra-ventricular craniopharyngiomas / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the techniques and effect of surgical resection of large intra- and extra-ventricular craniopharyngiomas via anterior interhemispheric trans-lamina terminalis approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-two patients who were surgically treated for large intra- and extra-ventricular craniopharyngiomas were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent surgery via anterior interhemispheric trans-lamina terminalis approach. Of the 52 patients, 28 were male and 24 were female, with age ranging from 3 to 67 years (mean age 33.5 years). The maximum tumor diameter varied from 4.0 to 7.8 cm, with mean diameter of 5.1 cm. Contrast-enhanced MRI was underwent to determine the extent of tumor resection on the 1 to 3 months after surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total removal of the lesion was achieved in 47 cases (90.4%), 5 patients underwent subtotal resection (9.6%). Division of the anterior communicating artery was performed in 6 patients with no early or late complications related to division of the artery. Visual acuity was preserved or improved in 44 patients (84.6%). Preservation of the pituitary stalk were achieved in 33 patients (63.5%). No surgery-related deaths occurred. The postsurgical follow-up period varied from 3 months to 68 months (mean 25.4 months). Twenty-three cases had endocrinological deficit and received some form of hormonal replacement after surgery. Permanent diabetes insipidus occurred in 18 cases. Three patients died and 6 patients suffered recurrence during the followed-up period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The anterior interhemispheric approach, with opening of the lamina terminalis, is a valid choice for large intra- and extra-ventricular craniopharyngiomas. These tumors can be removed without significant sequelae related to the surgical approach because optic nerves, optic chiasm, internal carotid artery, hypothalamic structures and pituitary stalk can be seen and effectively protected.</p>

The surgery of giant symptomatic cavernous sinus aneurysms / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the management and outcomes in patients with giant symptomatic cavernous sinus aneurysms who underwent aneurysms trapping with bypass, proximal carotid occlusion and aneurysms trapping.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-three patients with giant symptomatic cavernous sinus aneurysms underwent surgery between February 2007 and March 2013, 3 cases were male and 20 cases were female patients, the age of the patients ranged between 24 and 68 years, mean age was 54.7 years. The pre-operative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and ballon occlusion test (BOT) were performed to confirm the diagnosis and identify hemodynamic reserve with carotid occlusion, and the aneurysms trapping with bypass, aneurysms trapping and proximal occlusion of the internal carotid artery were performed according to BOT results. During the surgery, the neurophysiological monitoring and the intraoperative CT perfusion were used. The follow-up by DSA or CT angiography were made.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seventeen patients underwent aneurysms trapping with bypass, 1 underwent aneurysms trapping and 5 underwent proximal occlusion of the internal carotid artery. After surgery, symptom improved in 4 cases, did not change in 10 cases, and new neural function deficit developed in 9 cases. The follow-up period were 3 months to 75 months. Two patients were lost. The Glasgow Outcome Scale of last follow-up were 5 in 19 patients, 3 in 1 patient and 1 in 1 patient.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The aneurysms trapping with bypass and proximal occlusion of the internal carotid artery are effective and reliable procedure for treatment of giant symptomatic cavernous sinus aneurysms in selected patients after evaluation of the pre-operative BOT, intra-operative neurophysiological monitoring and the intraoperative CT perfusion.</p>

Vision deterioration after transsphenoidal surgery for removal of pituitary adenoma / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism and strategies of prevention and treatment of vision deterioration after transsphenoidal surgery for removal of pituitary adenoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 1980 to February 2001, 1 412 patients were operated on by transsphenoidal surgery to remove pituitary adenoma. Fourteen patients experienced vision deterioration after operation. Clinical data from the 14 patients with vision deterioration were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In this group, the incidence of vision deterioration was 0.99%. Over packing of the adenoma bed was seen in 5 patients, apoplexy of residual tumor in 3, high intracranial pressure in 2, vascular spasm in 2, injury of the optic nerve in the cannel in 1 and unknown reason in 1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Vision deterioration is a severe complication after transsphenoidal surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the vision.</p>

The image characters and endovascular embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations with bleeding / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To discuss the image characters and the technical manipulation of endovascular embolization for cerebral AVM with bleeding. Methods The cerebral AVMs with bleeding in 56 cases were confirmed by CT, MRI, and whole cerebral DSA. Depended on the nidus of AVM, the superselective endovascular embolization with NBCA or embolization combined with radiological surgery was chosen. Results The nidus was eliminated for 100% in 36 cases after embolization for 1 to 3 processes. The rebleeding was found in 2 cases with new growth and survival aneurysm in nidus during the follow-up period and treatment with X-knife, and was cured by the second embolization. Conclusion The main causes of AVM bleeding included aneurysm and aneurysm-like dilation beside and located at the nidus, fine draining veins, and growth in the ventricles. To prevent the brain from bleeding, it is favourable to eliminate the aneurysm in AVM during embolization.

Microsurgical treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysm:analysis of 35 cases / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To summarize the experiences of microsurgery for treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms (MCAA). Methods The clinical data of 35 patients with MCAA treated by microsurgery in General Hospital of PLA from 2004 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Of them there were 20 males and 15 females, aged 18 to 72 years with a mean of 40 years. Of the 35 patients, subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred formerly in 22, intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 11 and subdural hematoma in one patient. The MCAA located in the middle cerebral artery trunk in 10 patients, at the bifurcation in 20 patients (including one patient with 2 MCAAs), and in the distal segment in 5 patients. MCAA located on the left side in 13 and on right side in 22 patients. There were 7 patients with giant aneurysms, 11 with large aneurysms and 17 with small aneurysms. Microneurosurgery was performed in all cases, and different approaches were taken according to the locations of aneurysms. Superior temporal gyrus approach was conducted in 3 patients with giant intracerebral hematoma. Bypass of superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery was performed before occlusion of the afferent artery in one patient with giant aneurysm. Bypass with saphenous vein to middle cerebral artery was performed in another patient with giant aneurysm. Results The giant and large MCAAs consisted of 51.4% of all cases. Excellent outcomes were achieved in 20 patients, no marked change in 12 patients, and post-operative complications were observed in 3 patients. No perioperative death occurred. Conclusions Giant and large aneurysms are more common in middle cerebral artery aneurysms. Proper surgical approaches based on different situations during operation should be considered to achieve satisfactory outcome.

Selective intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy for central retinal artery occlusion: 26 cases report / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To observe the effect of selective intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy for central retinal artery thrombosis. Methods 100 000-250 000U of urokinase were injected into the ophthalmic artery via a catheter in the ophthalmic artery or the internal carotid artery to carry out the thrombolytic therapy. Results The visual acuity was significantly improved from light perception or finger counting to 0.1 in 8 of a total of 26 cases, partially improved in 10 cases, and no change in vision in 8 cases. The time interval from the onset of the disease to thrombolysis was within 8 days in the 18 patients who showed improvement, 3 of them showed significant improvement, of whom 2 received the treatment within 3 days. Conclusion Selective intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy is effective for the treatment of central retinal artery thrombosis. The effect was closely related to the time interval from the onset of the disease to thrombolysis. The thrombolytic therapy should be carried out as soon as possible.