A proposed classification system for presigmoid approaches: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: The "presigmoid corridor" covers a spectrum of approaches using the petrous temporal bone either as a target in treating intracanalicular lesions or as a route to access the internal auditory canal (IAC), jugular foramen, or brainstem. Complex presigmoid approaches have been continuously developed and refined over the years, leading to great heterogeneity in their definitions and descriptions. Owing to the common use of the presigmoid corridor in lateral skull base surgery, a simple anatomy-based and self-explanatory classification is needed to delineate the operative perspective of the different variants of the presigmoid route. Herein, the authors conducted a scoping review of the literature with the aim of proposing a classification system for presigmoid approaches. METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to December 9, 2022, following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines to include clinical studies reporting the use of "stand-alone" presigmoid approaches. Findings were summarized based on the anatomical corridor, trajectory, and target lesions to classify the different variants of the presigmoid approach. RESULTS: Ninety-nine clinical studies were included for analysis, and the most common target lesions were vestibular schwannomas (60/99, 60.6%) and petroclival meningiomas (12/99, 12.1%). All approaches had a common entry pathway (i.e., mastoidectomy) but were differentiated into two main categories based on their relationship to the labyrinth: translabyrinthine or anterior corridor (80/99, 80.8%) and retrolabyrinthine or posterior corridor (20/99, 20.2%). The anterior corridor comprised 5 variations based on the extent of bone resection: 1) partial translabyrinthine (5/99, 5.1%), 2) transcrusal (2/99, 2.0%), 3) translabyrinthine proper (61/99, 61.6%), 4) transotic (5/99, 5.1%), and 5) transcochlear (17/99, 17.2%). The posterior corridor consisted of 4 variations based on the target area and trajectory in relation to the IAC: 6) retrolabyrinthine inframeatal (6/99, 6.1%), 7) retrolabyrinthine transmeatal (19/99, 19.2%), 8) retrolabyrinthine suprameatal (1/99, 1.0%), and 9) retrolabyrinthine trans-Trautman's triangle (2/99, 2.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Presigmoid approaches are becoming increasingly complex with the expansion of minimally invasive techniques. Descriptions of these approaches using the existing nomenclature can be imprecise or confusing. Therefore, the authors propose a comprehensive classification based on the operative anatomy that unequivocally describes presigmoid approaches simply, precisely, and efficiently.

Stephanion to cranial base penetrating stab wound with outstanding recovery: A case report.

Background: Mortality due to head trauma is common in developed countries in all age groups. Nonmissile penetrating skull base injuries (PSBIs) due to foreign bodies are quite rare, accounting for about 0.4%. PSBI carries that a poor prognosis brainstem involvement usually is often fatal. We are reporting the first case of PSBI with a foreign body insertion site through the stephanion with a remarkable outcome. Case Description: The 38-year-old male patient was referred with a penetrating stab wound to the head through the stephanion caused by a knife after a conflict in the street. He had no focal neurological deficit or cerebrospinal fluid leak, and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was 15/15 on admission. A preoperative computed tomography scan showed the path of the stab beginning at the stephanion, which is the point where the coronal suture crosses the superior temporal line, heading toward the cranial base. Postoperatively, GCS was 15/15 without any deficit apart from the left wrist drop, possibly due to a left arm stab. Conclusion: Careful investigations and diagnoses must be made to ensure convenient knowledge of the case due to the variety of injury mechanisms, foreign body characteristics, and individual patients' characteristics. Reported cases of PSBIs in adults have not reported a stephanion skull base injury. Although brain stem involvement is usually fatal, our patient had a remarkable outcome.

Brown-Sequard syndrome associated with a spinal cord injury caused by a retained screwdriver: A case report and literature review.

Background: Nonmissile penetrating spine injury (NMPSI) represents a small percent of spinal cord injuries (SCIs), estimated at 0.8% in Western countries. Regarding the causes, an NMPSI injury caused by a screwdriver is rare. This study reports a case of a retained double-headed screwdriver in a 37-year-old man who sustained a stab injury to the back of the neck, leaving the patient with a C4 Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS). We discuss the intricacies of the surgical management of such cases with a literature review. Methods: PubMed database was searched by the following combined formula of medical subjects headings, (MESH) terms, and keywords: (((SCIs [MeSH Terms]) OR (nmpsi [Other Term]) OR (nonmissile penetrating spinal injury [Other Term]) OR (nonmissile penetrating spinal injury [Other Term])) AND (BSS [MeSH Terms])) OR (BSS [MeSH Terms]). Results: A total of 338 results were found; 258 were case reports. After excluding nonrelated cases, 16 cases were found of BSS induced by spinal cord injury by a retained object. The male-to-female ratio in these cases is 11:5, and ages ranged from 11 to 72. The causes of spinal cord injury included screwdrivers in three cases, knives in five cases, and glass in three cases. The extracted data were analyzed. Conclusion: Screwdriver stabs causing cervical SCIs are extremely rare. This is the first case from Iraq where the assault device is retained in situ at the time of presentation. Such cases should be managed immediately to carefully withdraw the object under direct vision and prevent further neurological deterioration.