Micro?surgical Treatment of Medulla Oblongata Cavernomas / 中国医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the efficacy of micro?surgery for the treatment of medulla oblongata cavernomas. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 21 patients with cavernous hemangioma who received micro?surgical treatment. Of the 21 patients, 13 were men and 8 women,aged 22 to 63 years. The preoperative Karnofsky performance status(KPS)score was 76.5 ± 10.2. The main clinical manifestations included sensory disorder and difficulty swallowing etc. According to the location of the lesions ,the posterior transchoroidal fissure approach was employed for 16 patients;far?lateral approach,5 patients. Electrophysiological monitoring and nervous system navigation were supple?mentarily adopted in both types of surgery. Further ,KPS scoring was conducted to evaluate the patients 'quality of life. Results The medulla cav?ernous hemangioma was excised in all cases. For 17 patients with primary neurological disorders ,their symptoms were alleviated or resolved;4 pa?tients had severe symptoms and 8 presented with new clinical symptoms. A follow?up visit was conducted 8 to 97 months post?surgery(average 47.6 months). All patients were found capable of caring for themselves in daily life and performing simple or normal learning and working activities without recurrence or bleeding. The mean postoperative KPS score was 83.7 ± 15.5. Conclusion Patients with medulla cavernous hemangioma bleeding or severe symptoms should actively seek surgical treatment. Repeated bleeding is the absolute indication for surgery. Surgical skills ,elec?trophysiological monitoring,and nervous system navigation can reduce nervous system damage and protect the brainstem. The patient's quality of life is expected to significantly improve after surgery.