Compresión percutánea del ganglio de Gasser y raíz trigeminal con balón en el tratamiento de la neuralgia del trigémino / Percutaneous compression of the Gasser ganglion and trigeminal root with balloon in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

Introducción: Introducción: La compresión percutánea con balón (CPB) es una de las técnicas estándar para el tratamiento de la neuralgia del trigémino. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la eficacia de la compresión percutánea con balón (CPB) del ganglio de Gasser y raíz trigeminal en el tratamiento de la neuralgia del trigémino (TN). Métodos: Se usó un estudio observacional analítico de cohorte prospectivo. Un total de 293 pacientes con neuralgia del trigémino fueron tratados con la CPB entre octubre de 2008 y octubre de 2019 en Lima, Perú. Los datos fueron obtenidos de los registros hospitalarios y entrevistas. La CPB se realizó bajo sedación con propofol y remifentanilo. Se administróoxígeno a través de cánula nasal y se monitorizó la frecuencia cardíaca y la presión arterial durante todo el procedimiento. Elprocedimiento se realizó usando fluoroscopia con arco en C para facilitar la introducción de la aguja 14 G hasta que se ingresaal agujero oval y la visualización del catéter Fogarty 4F inflado en el cavum de Meckel. En la posición correcta, generalmenteaparece claramente definido una forma de pera o de reloj de arena después de la inyección de 0.5-1 ml de material decontraste. Resultados: La edad media fue de 64.2 años (rango 27-90). Treinta y seis pacientes (12%) tuvieron otros procedimientosquirúrgicos previos. Doscientos sesenta y dos pacientes (89.4%) experimentaron un alivio inmediato de la neuralgia despuésdel procedimiento. Se obtuvo un balón con forma de pera en 162 casos (55.3%), reloj de arena 73 (24.9%) y oval 58 (19.8%). En 245 pacientes (83.6%) el balón se mantuvo inflado durante 60 - 90 segundos. Es crucial obtener una forma de pera o de reloj de arena porque este es probablemente el factor más importante para obtener un buen alivio del dolor y duradero. Todo el procedimiento dura unos 15 minutos. La hipoestesia hemifacial después del procedimiento fue moderada o severa en el 76.5% de los pacientes. A los tres meses, la mayoría de los pacientes tienen una recuperación significativa en la sensibilidad facial, que continúa recuperándose con el tiempo. Todos los pacientes tuvieron alguna dificultad transitoria para masticar en el lado afectado. Se observó recurrencia en 26 pacientes (9.2%) en un tiempo de seguimiento de 6 meses a 11 años (5.75 años). La forma más común de balón asociada con recurrencia fue la oval (65.4%).Conclusiones: La CPB es técnicamente simple, bien tolerada por los pacientes. La tasa de éxito de la operación es alta. Los pacientes con balón en forma de pera o de reloj de arena obtuvieron los mejores resultados.

Introduction: Percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) is one of the standards techniques for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of PBC of the Gasserian ganglion and trigeminal rootlets as treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods: A prospective cohort analytical observational study was used. A total of 293 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were treated with PBC between october 2008 and October 2019 in Lima, Perú. The data were obtained from hospital records and interviews. PBC was performed under sedation with propofol and remifentanil. Oxygen was administered through nasal cannula and the heart rate and blood pressure were monitored throughout the procedure. The procedure is carried out with C-arm fluoroscopy to facilitate the introduction of the 14 G needle until the foramen oval is entered and the visualization of the inflated catheter Fogarty 4F in the Meckel ́s cave. Once in the right position, a clearly defined pear shape or hourglass is seen after injection of 0.5 ­ 1 mL of contrast material. Results: The mean age was 64.2 years (range, 27-90). Thirty-six patients (12%) had other previous surgical procedures. Two hundred sixty-two patients (89.4%) experienced immediate relief from neuralgia following the procedure. A pear-shaped balloon was obtained in 162 cases (55.3%), hourglass 73 (24.9%) and oval 58 (19.8%). In 245 patients (83.6%) the balloon is kept inflated for 60­90 seconds. It is crucial to obtain a pear shape or hourglass because this probably is the most significant factor for obtaining good, long-lasting pain relief. The whole procedure takes 15 minutes. Following the procedure, hemifacial hypoesthesia was moderate or severe in 76.5% of patients. Most patients have a significant recovery in facial sensitivity at three months post-procedure and continue to improve over time. All patients faced some transient difficulty chewing in the affected side. Recurrence was observed in 26 patients (9.2%) during a follow-up time of 6 months to 11 years (5.75 years). The most common form of balloon associated with recurrence was oval (65.4%).Conclusions: PBC is a technically simple, well tolerated by patients. The operation success rate is high. Patients with pear or hourglass shape balloon obtained the best results.

Percutaneous Treatment of Meckel Cave Arachnoid Cyst: Case Report, Surgical Strategy and Literature Review

Arachnoid cysts are benign intracranial lesions. They are usually located in the middle fossa, but can be found in other locations. We present a case of symptomatic Meckel cave (MC) arachnoid cyst - a very rare location - and a treatment strategy not elsewhere described before for this condition. A 54-year-old female with trigeminal neuralgia with previous history of radiofrequency rhizotomy treatment 6 years before admission had been experiencing pain recurrence with progression, which required successive increases in carbamazepine dosage. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed dilatation of the right MC with extension to the petrous apex. The lesion was compatible with arachnoid cyst, and due to the worsening of the clinical condition, surgical treatment was chosen. Percutaneous puncture of the cyst through the foramen ovale with injection of intracystic fibrin sealant was performed. The patient woke up from anesthesia with pain improvement and was discharged asymptomatic the next day. After 12 months of follow-up, she remained pain-free. In the literature review, we found only eight cases reported as MC arachnoid cyst. These are likely to progress and become symptomatic owing to their communication with the subarachnoid space and a unidirectional valve mechanism. Pain improvement with this technique is probably secondary to the interruption of these mechanisms.

Ossification of the roof of the porus trigeminus with duplicated abducens nerve / 대한해부학회지

Ossification of parts of the intracranial dura mater is common and is generally accepted as an age-related finding. Additionally, duplication of the abducens nerve along its course to the lateral rectus muscle is a known, although uncommon anatomical variant. During routine cadaveric dissection, an ossified portion of dura mater traveling over the trigeminal nerve's entrance (porus trigeminus) into the middle cranial fossa was observed unilaterally. Ipsilaterally, a duplicated abducens nerve was also observed, with a unique foramen superolateral to the entrance of Dorello's canal. To our knowledge, there has been no existing report of a simultaneous ossified roof of the porus trigeminus with an ipsilateral duplicated abducens nerve. Herein, we discuss this case and the potential clinical and surgical applications. We believe this case report will be informative for the skull base surgeon in the diagnosis of neuralgic pain in the frontomaxillary, andibular, orbital, and external and middle ear regions.

Trigeminal Cave Brain Metastasis from Prostate Adenocarcinoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

The present study presents the case of a 66-year-old patient diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma 4 years earlier and treated with prostatectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonetherapy but still displaying high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. The patient complaints were double vision and headaches. Upon physical examination, he displayed 6th cranial nerve paresis and 5th cranial nerve paresthesia. Amagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam was performed, which revealed a mass on the right trigeminal cave. The patient underwent surgical removal of the tumor, and the pathological analysis of the specimen established metastatic prostate cancer as the diagnosis. Brainmetastases fromprostate cancer are extremely rare and mark advanced disease, with immune system failure and blood-brain barrier breach. Prostate-specific antigen levels do not correlate with the possibility of metastatic disease. Prostate adenocarcinoma is the histologic typemost commonly associated with brainmetastases,with themeninges being more frequently affected, followed by the brain parenchyma. The neurological symptoms more often displayed are non-focal, such as headaches and mental confusion. Surgery associated with radiotherapy is the most validated treatment.

Abordaje endoscópico al cavum de Meckel: resección endoscópica endonasal de schwannoma del nervio trigémino / Endoscopic approach to the Meckel's cave: endonasal endoscopic resection of a trigeminal schwannoma

RESUMEN El cavum de Meckel (CM) es un divertículo localizado en la fosa media adyacente al seno cavernoso. Las neoplasias de esta región son extremadamente raras y representan un desafío para el cirujano debido a las estructuras neurovasculares que se encuentran en la región. Para los tumores ubicados en esta área se han descrito diversos abordajes quirúrgicos, los cuales no logran una adecuada exposición a la porción anteromedial del CM. En la última década, se ha postulado el abordaje endoscópico endonasal extendido (AEE) como una alternativa quirúrgica para el manejo de lesiones ubicadas en esta región. Se presenta el caso de un paciente portador de un schwannoma del nervio trigémino situado en el CM derecho tratado mediante AEE.

ABSTRACT The Meckel's cave (CM) is a diverticulum located in the middle fossa adjacent to the cavernous sinus. The neoplasms of this region are extremely rare and represent a challenge for the surgeon due to the neurovascular structures that occupy and surround the parasellar region. For tumors located in this area, several surgical approaches have been described, all of which do not achieve an adequate exposure to the anteromedial portion of CM. In the last decade, the extended endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) has been postulated as an alternative for the surgical management of tumors located in this region. We present the case of a patient with a trigeminal schwannoma located in the right CM treated by EEA.

Meckel's Cave Lipoma.

Meckel's cave tumors are uncommon intracranial tumours. Lipoma in meckel's cave is a rare entity. CT & MRI imaging are modialities used to evaluate meckel's cave lesion. We report a case of Meckel's cave lipoma presenting with trigeminal neuralgia.

Suboccipital Suprameatal Approach for Petrosal Meningiomas Extended into Meckel's Cave

OBJECTIVE: The petrosal meningiomas involving the middle cranial fossa through the Meckel's cave represent a difficult surgical challenge. We report our experience of removing these lesions through the suboccipital approach combined with a technique that expose the Meckel's cave by removing the bony prominence located above the porus of the internal acoustic meatus, called the suprameatal tubercle, and the surrounding bone. METHODS: Between the period of January 1999 and October 2001, a total of seven patients with petrosal meningiomas involving the Meckel's cave were operated upon using suboccipital suprameatal approach. In the supine position, suboccipital craniotomy was performed. The main mass located predominantly within the cerebellopontine angle(CPA) was removed using intradural approach. The suprameatal tubercle was drilled-out to expose the Meckel's cave. And then, the tumor extended into the middle cranial fossa through the Meckel's cave was removed. RESULTS: In every case, the tumor extending into the Meckel's cave was exposed well. The tumors were completely removed in all patients without serious complications. CONCLUSION: We believe that suboccipital suprameatal approach offers a safe and effective method to remove some selected lesions of the CPA area extended into the middle cranial fossa through the Meckel's cave without the need for complex procedures, if the main mass is located predominantly in the CPA area.