Long-term Recovery Patterns of Olfactory Function after Trans-sphenoidal Approach with Nasoseptal Flap Elevation

Abstract Introduction Nasoseptal flap is widely used in reconstruction of the skull base to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage after surgery for skull base lesions. There has been a debate on whether more severe olfactory dysfunction occurs after nasoseptal flap elevation than the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach. Objective To compare the long-term recovery patterns associated with nasoseptal flap and the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach. Methods The subjects were divided into the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group and the nasoseptal flap elevation group. We followed up self-reported olfactory score using the visual analogue scale and threshold discrimination identification (TDI) score of the Korean Version of the Sniffin Stick test II for 12 months, with olfactory training. Results The study included 31 patients who underwent the trans-sphenoidal approach. Compared with preoperative status, the mean visual analogue scale and TDI scores in the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group recovered 2 months postoperatively, while in the nasoseptal flap elevation group the visual analogue scale and TDI scores recovered 6 months and 3 months after surgery, respectively. Twelve months after surgery, the visual analogue scale and TDI scores in the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group were 9.3 ± 0.5 and 28.5 ± 4.3, while those from the nasoseptal flap elevation group were 8.9 ± 1.5 and 27.2 ± 4.7 (p = 0.326; 0.473). Only one of the patients in the nasoseptal flap elevation group had permanent olfactory dysfunction. Conclusion The olfactory function recovered more gradually in the nasoseptal flap elevation group than in the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group, but there was no difference between the two groups after 6 months.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Growth Hormone-secreting Pituitary Adenoma following Trans-sphenoidal Approach

OBJECTIVE: The results of gamma knife radiosurgery(GKRS) for growth hormone(GH)-secreting pituitary adenoma are investigated to identify the role of adjuvant GKRS for remnant or recurrent tumor following transsphenoidal approach(TSA). METHODS: From March 1992 to December 2001, 20 patients treated by GKRS for GH-secreting pituitary adenoma following TSA were followed up more than 3 years and evaluated their symptomatic, hormonal and radiological changes after radiosurgery. RESULTS: There were 6 men and 14 women and the mean age was 40.2 years (range 24-58 years). The maximal dose was 32 to 60Gy (mean 46.2Gy) and the marginal dose was 12.8 to 36Gy (mean 25.5Gy). The mean follow-up time was 5.9 years (range 3-10years). Normalization of GH level (below 2ng/ml) was achieved in 10 of 20 patients (50.0%), and the normalization of IGF-I was in 8 of 15 patients (53.3%). On follow up MR imaging, the tumor control rate was 100% and the tumor volume reduction rate was 25~50% in 4 patients, 50~75% in 13 patients and 75~100% in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of GH-secreting pituitary adenoma, tumor control rate and improvement of clinical symptom show good outcome without major complication after adjuvant GKRS following TSA, though the rate of normalization of GH level is unsatisfactory. The optimal marginal dose for GH-secreting pituitary adenoma is more than 25Gy, and secondary GKRS can be considered in the failed cases to achieve effective hormonal normalization after the first adjuvant GKRS.

Sphenoid Sinus Mucocele(Case Report)

A case of mucocele of the sphenoid sinus having diplopia and headache is presented. This rare disorder is benign and curable by simple intranasal procedure. But it is often misdiagnosed as malignant or pituitary tumor, and unnecessary treatment such as radiotherapy or craniotomy has been performed. We removed it by sublabidal trans-septal trans-sphenoidal approach without difficulties and postoperative complications.