Evolution of transmaxillary approach to tumors in pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa: anatomic simulation and clinical practice / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The endoscopic transnasal approach has been proven to have advantages on the removal of the tumors in pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) and infratemporal fossa (ITF). Herein, this study aimed to describe a modified approach for resection of the tumors in these areas, both in cadaveric specimen and clinical patients.@*METHODS@#The 20 adult cadaveric specimens and five patients with tumors in PPF and ITF were enrolled in this study. For the cadaveric specimens, ten were simulated anterior transmaxillary approach and ten were performed modified endoscopic transnasal transmaxillary approach. The exposure areas were compared between two groups and main anatomic structure were measured. Surgery was operated in the five patients with tumors of PPF and ITF to verify the experience from the anatomy. Perioperative management, intraoperative findings and postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The modified endoscopic transnasal transmaxillary approach provided as enough surgical exposure and high operability to the PPF and ITF as the anterior transmaxillary approach did. The diameter of maxillary artery in the PPF was 3.77 ± 0.78 mm (range: 2.06-4.82 mm), the diameter of middle meningeal artery in the ITF was 2.79 ± 0.61 mm (range: 1.54-3.78 mm). Four patients who suffered schwannoma got total removal and one of adenocystic carcinoma got subtotal removal. The main complications were facial numbness and pericoronitis of the wisdom tooth. No permanent complication was found.@*CONCLUSIONS@#With the widespread use of neuroendoscopy, the modified endoscopic transnasal transmaxillary approach is feasible and effective for the resection of tumors located in PPF and ITF, which has significant advantages on less trauma and complications to the patients.

Changes in the Vision-related Resting-state Network in Pituitary Adenoma Patients After Vision Improvement / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The aim of this research was to investigate the changes in the vision-related resting-state network (V-RSN) in pituitary adenoma (PA) patients after vision improvement, which was induced by operative treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten PA patients with an improved visual acuity or/and visual field after transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection were recruited and underwent a complete neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation, as well as an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, including structural and resting-state functional MRI sequences before and after the operation. The regional homogeneity (ReHo) of the V-RSN was evaluated. Two sample t-test was performed to identify the significant differences in the V-RSN in the PA patients before and after transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the preoperation counterparts, the PA patients with improved vision after the operation exhibited reduced ReHo in the bilateral thalamus, globus pallidus, caudate nucleus, putamen nucleus, supplementary motor area, and left hippocampal formation, and increased ReHo in the bilateral cuneus gyrus, calcarine gyrus, right lingual gyrus, and fusiform gyrus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PA patients with improved vision exhibit increased neural activity within the visual cortex, but decreased neural activity in subareas of the multisensory and multimodal systems beyond the vision cortex.</p>

Auditory Rehabilitation in Rhesus Macaque Monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with Auditory Brainstem Implants / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) have been used to treat deafness for patients with neurofibromatosis Type 2 and nontumor patients. The lack of an appropriate animal model has limited the study of improving hearing rehabilitation by the device. This study aimed to establish an animal model of ABI in adult rhesus macaque monkey (Macaca mulatta).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six adult rhesus macaque monkeys (M. mulatta) were included. Under general anesthesia, a multichannel ABI was implanted into the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle through the modified suboccipital-retrosigmoid (RS) approach. The electrical auditory brainstem response (EABR) waves were tested to ensure the optimal implant site. After the operation, the EABR and computed tomography (CT) were used to test and verify the effectiveness via electrophysiology and anatomy, respectively. The subjects underwent behavioral observation for 6 months, and the postoperative EABR was tested every two weeks from the 1 st month after implant surgery.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The implant surgery lasted an average of 5.2 h, and no monkey died or sacrificed. The averaged latencies of peaks I, II and IV were 1.27, 2.34 and 3.98 ms, respectively in the ABR. One-peak EABR wave was elicited in the operation, and one- or two-peak waves were elicited during the postoperative period. The EABR wave latencies appeared to be constant under different stimulus intensities; however, the amplitudes increased as the stimulus increased within a certain scope.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is feasible and safe to implant ABIs in rhesus macaque monkeys (M. mulatta) through a modified suboccipital RS approach, and EABR and CT are valid tools for animal model establishment. In addition, this model should be an appropriate animal model for the electrophysiological and behavioral study of rhesus macaque monkey with ABI.</p>

Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor β1 on the healing of reconstructed dura by carbon dioxide laser soldering in minipigs / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser soldering is an alternative technique for tissue bonding. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor β(1) (TGFβ(1)) are two key factors for wound healing. This study was performed to demonstrate the efficacy of CO2 laser soldering for dural reconstruction and the effect of bFGF and TGFβ(1) on healing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In Part I, 10 minipigs were randomized into two equal groups. Dural defects were reconstructed by conventional fibrin glue bonding (group I(a)) or CO2 laser soldering (group I(b)). The reconstructed dura was subjected to burst pressure (BP) measurement and immunohistochemical staining after 1 week. In Part II, 36 minipigs were randomized into three equal groups. Dural reconstruction was achieved by CO2 laser soldering. Exogenous bFGF (group II(b)) or TGFβ(1) (group II(c)) was administered while group II(a) served as a control group. The specimens were subjected to BP measurement after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In Part I, the dura specimens displayed positive staining of only bFGF in group I(a) and of both bFGF and TGFβ(1) in group I(b). Group I(b) showed higher BP than group I(a) ((98.00 ± 21.41) mmHg vs. (70.80 ± 15.09) mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05). In Part II, BP of group II(c) was significantly higher than that of group II(a) (P < 0.01). The BP of group II(a) trended toward stabilization after 3 weeks of growth, while that of groups II(b) and II(c) trended toward stabilization after 2 weeks of growth.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CO2 laser soldering is a reliable technique for dural reconstruction. The superior healing of dural reconstruction by CO2 laser soldering may be related to higher expression of bFGF and TGFβ(1), and CO2 lasers may stimulate their secretion. Exogenous bFGF or TGFβ(1) may improve healing by shortening the wound healing time, and exogenous TGFβ(1) may improve the tensile strength.</p>

Prevention of postoperative intracranial infection in patients with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Intracranial infection is a common postoperative complication of neurosurgery. This study aimed to identify risk factors of postoperative intracranial infection in patients with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and to suggest proposals for the prevention.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 167 patients (113 males and 54 males, average age of 34.4 years) with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea operated on by the senior author were retrospectively reviewed. The data collected included etiology, previous history, clinical manifestation, site of bone defect, operative approach, and postoperative complications. Risk factor(s) for postoperative infection were analyzed using the stepwise multiple Logistic regression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eighteen (10.8%) patients were infected post-operatively. The independent risk factors for infection were the site of defect (RR = 0.508, 95%CI 0.306 - 0.843, P = 0.009) and historical meningitis (RR = 0.290, 95%CI 0.094 - 0.893, P = 0.031). Patients with multiple defects and saddle floor defects had a higher infection rate. The germiculture was positive in 11 patients, and vancomycin was sensitive to all the pathogenesis. Nine infected patients needed lumbar drainage. Ten patients had hyponatremia, and hydrocephalus occurred in two patients with serious trauma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>To prevent the infection, we should pay closer attention to the high-risk patients pre-operation. During the operation, the methods those can improve wound healing, such as using blood-supply materials, reliable fixation, and eliminating dead space are all helpful. Conducting lumbar drainage and choosing effective prophylactic antibiotics in the early postoperative stage for the high-risk patients are methods of postoperative management.</p>

Surgical treatment to facial nerve paralysis of different pathogeny / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the surgical treatment to facial nerve paralysis of different pathogeny.@*METHOD@#Thirty-seven patients were reviewed, including Bell's Palsy (5 patients), temporal bone fracture (20 patients), media otitis (cholesteatoma) (4 patients), facial neuroma and cranio-maxillo-facial operation trauma (8 patients). All the patients were treated by different surgical methods according different pathogeny.@*RESULT@#The mean percentage facial function improvement (House-Brackmann Grade I-II) was 80% to Bell's Palsy and temporal bone fracture, 100% to media otitis (cholesteatoma). Facial function of three patients improved from House-Brackmann Grade IV to III, two patients had no obvious improvement about facial neuroma; three patients improved from Grade V to III, one improved to IV about cranio-maxillo-facial operation trauma.@*CONCLUSION@#Patients of facial nerve paralysis got better curative effect if treated by proper surgical therapy according different pathogeny.

Anterior and middle skull base reconstruction after tumor resection / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Surgical management of skull base tumors is still challenging today due to its sophisticated operation procedure. Surgeons who specialize in skull base surgery are making endeavor to promote the outcome of patients with skull base tumor. A reliable skull base reconstruction after tumor resection is of paramount importance in avoiding life-threatening complications, such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage and intracranial infection. This study aimed at investigating the indication, operation approach and operation technique of anterior and middle skull base reconstruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was carried out on 44 patients who underwent anterior and middle skull base reconstruction in the Department of Neurosurgery at Beijing Tiantan Hospital between March 2005 and March 2008. Different surgical approaches were selected according to the different regions involved by the tumor. Microsurgery was carried out for tumor resection and combined endoscopic surgery was performed in some cases. According to the different locations and sizes of various defects after tumor resection, an individualized skull base soft tissue reconstruction was carried out for each case with artificial materials, pedicled flaps, free autologous tissue, and free vascularized muscle flaps, separately. A skull base bone reconstruction was carried out in some cases simultaneously.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Soft tissue reconstruction was performed in all 44 cases with a fascia lata repair in 9 cases, a free vascularized muscle flap in 1 case, a pedicled muscle flap in 14 cases, and a pedicled periosteal flap in 20 cases. Skull base bone reconstruction was performed on 10 cases simultaneously. The materials for bone reconstruction included titanium mesh, free autogenous bone, and a Medpor implant. The result of skull base reconstruction was satisfactory in all patients. Postoperative early-stage complications occurred in 10 cases with full recovery after conventional treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The specific characteristics of skull base defects in various regions require different reconstruction materials and methods. The individualized reconstruction based on different skull base defects can achieve satisfactory results.</p>

Endoscopic endonasal surgery for meningoencephalocele / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the management experience with transnasal endoscopic technique for meningoencephalocele.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nine patients with endonasal encephalomeningocele were managed by transnasal endoscopic surgery, and the skull base defect was repaired by fascia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eight cases were successfully managed at the time of the first operation, and no relapse case was found during 1 to 4 years follow-up. Only one case of a two years old child relapsed with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea one month after operation. During the second operation, titanium mesh uncovering was found, and replacement of titanium mesh by fascia via skull base defect was done, without relapse one and half years after the second operation. Another case of a one year old child got a fever one day after operation, but no white blood cell was found in the cerebrospinal fluid, and the temperature recovered to normal after release cerebrospinal fluid management. There were no complications of cranial infection, hemorrhage, edema and water retention in brain to be found in all cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is not only minimally invasive, safety and efficiency of transnasal endoscopic technique for meningoencephalocele, but also had a clear operating view for better recolonization of the position of leak and the structure of operating field, therefore, transnasal endoscopic technique is the first choice for the management of endonasal encephalomeningocele. The accurate localization of leak and selection of the appropriate repairing materials are the key point for the successful operation.</p>

Clinical application of minimally invasive neuroendoscopic techniques / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize and analyze the application of neuroendoscopic techniques in neurosurgery, and to discuss the role and significance of neuroendoscopic techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of neurosurgical diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We treated 1300 patients with different neurosurgical diseases by performing endoscopic neurosurgery (EN) and endoscopy-assisted microneurosurgery (EAM). Among 1300 paitents, 522 were treated with pure endoscopic neurosurgery, 260 with endoscopy-assisted microneurosurgery, 79 with endoscope-controlled bur hole trephination neurosurgery, 434 with endoscope transsphenoidial surgery, and 5 with other techniques through which an endoscope was used in conjunction with stereotactic guidance.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 362 hydrocephalus patients were treated using EN. Among them, 190 were treated by third ventriculostomy, 30 by V-P shunt, and 142 patients with complicated hydrocephalus and unsymmetry hydrocephalus by endoscopy-controlled pathologic septum fenestration, septum pellucidum fenestration, and treatment of inventricula inflammation. Clinical symptomatic improvement was achieved in 341 of 362 patients (94.2%). Also 160 intracranial cyst patients were treated using EN for resection and partial resection. Eighty-two patients were performed through cyst-ventricula fenestration. Clinical symptomatic improvement was achieved in 76 of 82 patients (92.7%). Seventy patients treated with endoscopy-controlled bur hole neurosurgery and 8 cases with endoscopy-assisted microneurosurgery got better recovery after operation. Among 260 patients with brain tumors, 252 patients were operated with EAM (190 patients with epidermoid cyst), 8 patients with EN (all brain tumors with diameters < 2.5 cm in inventricular). Clinical symptomatic improvement was achieved in 228 of 260 patients (87.7%). Among 49 patients with inventricular and cistern cyst, 40 patients who were treated by EN and 9 patients by endoscopy-controlled bur hole neurosurgery were resected and their clinical symptoms were improved after operation. Among 434 patients with sellar region lesions, 387 patients with pituitary adenomas, 19 patients with repair for CSF leaks, 9 patients with chordoma, and 19 patients with other neurosurgical diseases were performed with endoscopy-controlled transsphenoidial surgery. Clinical symptoms in 88.9% (386/434) of these patients were improved. Another 5 patients were treated with endoscopy combined with navigation and stereotatic guidance with good results. The complications related to operation were found in only 2% of all the patients including hemorrhage, infection, and damage of important structure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Clinical application of neuroendoscopic techniques can decrease the damage caused by pure open surgery operation. It is possible to resect lesions at the utmost and protect normal tissue from lesions for using EN and EAM or endoscopy-controlled microneurosurgery (ECM). It is also helpful to enhance surgical quality and, reduce the complications.</p>