Unilateral approach for bilateral clipping of posterior communicating artery aneurysms in a hybrid operating room: A technical note.

Bilateral posterior communicating (pComm) artery aneurysms represent only 2% of mirror intracranial aneurysms. Usually, these are surgically approached through bilateral craniotomies for clipping. We present the case of a 50-year-old female presenting with headache and horizontal diplopia. Neurological examination revealed a left oculomotor palsy, with no other neurological deficits. Imaging studies revealed bilateral aneurysmatic lesions in both internal carotid arteries (ICA). A conventional left pterional approach was planned in order to treat the symptomatic aneurysm, and, if deemed feasible, a contralateral clipping through the same approach. The procedure was performed in a hybrid operating room (HOR), performing an intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and roadmapping assistance during dissection and clipping. Transoperatively, a post-fixed optic chiasm was identified, with a wide interoptic space, which allowed us to perform the contralateral clipping through a unilateral approach. This technique for clipping bilateral pComm aneurysms can be performed when the proper anatomical features are met.

Mycotic clival osteomyelitis secondary to immunosuppression by SARS-CoV-2.

Background: During the past 2 years, the use of systemic corticosteroids has increased due to COVID-19 atypical pneumonia management. Similarly, an increase in mycotic infection cases has been reported during the same period as a consequence of immunosuppression caused by corticosteroid overuse. Mycotic clival osteomyelitis is a rare clinical entity which presumably has increased its incidence during the pandemic. Case Description: A 52-year-old woman who presented persistent headaches and unexplained weight loss after being hospitalized due to COVID-19 pneumonia treated with intravenous corticosteroids. Head computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed extensive osteomyelitis at the clival region with no brain parenchyma involvement. Surgical excision through navigation-guided transnasal transclival endoscopic extended approach was performed for surgical debridement. Histopathological analysis revealed angulated hyphae, suggestive of Aspergillosis. Systemic antifungal treatment was administered for 30 consecutive days. Afterward, she was discharged without any remarkable neurological findings, reassessed during follow-up. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect on the reemergence of mycotic infections due to corticosteroid immunosuppression. Clival osteomyelitis secondary to mycotic infection is an exclusion diagnosis that we encourage to be highly suspected within the persisting COVID-19 pandemic.

Endoscopic endonasal lateral transellar approach for growth hormone-secreting adenomas with cavernous sinus invasion: Technical note and surgical results / Abordaje transelar lateral endonasal endoscópico para adenomas hipofisiarios productores de hormona del crecimiento con invasión al seno cavernoso: nota técnica y resultados quirúrgicos

Background Cavernous sinus (CS) invasion is found in 15–20% of pituitary adenomas; it represents a poor prognosis factor and a surgical challenge even in experienced pituitary centers. We present our experience and technical note description for surgical management of pituitary adenomas with CS invasion in acromegaly by the transsellar lateral approach with an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal route. Method prospective case series of patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery for Growing Hormone (GH) producing adenomas with CS invasion treated at the Neurosurgery departments of National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City, and of Toluca Medical Center of Social Security Institute of the State of Mexico and Provinces between January 2014 and March 2019. Results Thirty-two of 94 patients with diagnosis of pituitary adenoma treated at our institutions (34%) had acromegaly; thirteen of patients with acromegaly diagnosis met the inclusion criteria for CS invasion. Postoperative images reported gross total resection in 10 patients (76.9%). Mean follow-up time was 28.3 months. Remission criteria were achieved in nine patients (69.2%), with one of these patients (11.1%) having recurrence during follow up. All patients with no biochemical remission had improvement in GH and IGF profiles. Three patients without remission underwent radiosurgery (14Gy), and one patient had remission after the procedure. Conclusions We consider this to be a safe and efficient approach for tumors invading CS, when surgical team have good experience in endoscopy of the skull base and reconstruction techniques, appropriate instruments are available, and tumor has soft consistency (AU)

Antecedentes Se encuentra invasión al seno cavernoso en el 15-20% de los adenomas hipofisiarios, y representa un factor de mal pronóstico, así como un reto quirúrgico en algunas series. En el presente trabajo describimos y evaluamos nuestra experiencia con una técnica quirúrgica para el manejo de adenomas hipofisiarios con invasión al seno cavernoso en pacientes con acromegalia a través de un abordaje transelar lateral por la vía endonasal endoscópica. Métodos Serie de casos prospectiva de pacientes tratados con cirugía endonasal endoscópica para pacientes con diagnóstico de acromegalia y adenomas hipofisiarios con invasión al seno cavernoso tratados en los Departamentos de Neurocirugía del Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía en la Ciudad de México y en el Centro Médico Toluca del Instituto de Seguridad Social del Estado de México y Municipios entre enero del 2014 y marzo del 2019. Resultados Treinta y dos pacientes de 94 con diagnóstico de adenoma hipofisiario fueron tratados en nuestras instituciones, cumplieron con criterios clínicos y bioquímicos para el diagnóstico de acromegalia (34%); de estos, 13 pacientes cumplieron con criterios por imagen y quirúrgicos de invasión al seno cavernoso (40,6%). Las imágenes postoperatorias mostraron resección completa en 10 pacientes (76,9%). El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 28,3 meses. Se alcanzó un índice de remisión bioquímica en el 69,2% de los casos, con un paciente presentando recurrencia durante el seguimiento. Tres de los pacientes sin remisión bioquímica fueron sometidos a radiocirugía, con respuesta terapéutica en uno de ellos (AU)

Endonasal Endoscopic and Hybrid Surgery Techniques for Blunt Trauma Fractures of the Skull Base With Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks.

ABSTRACT: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage caused by skull base fracture represents high risks of bacterial meningitis, and a rate of mortality of 8.9%. Endoscopic endonasal repair of CSF leaks is quite safe and effective procedure with high rates of success. The aim of this study is to describe our technique for management of skull base CSF leaks secondary to craniofacial trauma based on the anatomic location of the leak. This is a retrospective case series of 17 patients with diagnosis of craniofacial trauma, surgically treated with sole endonasal endoscopic and combined endonasal/transcranial approaches with diagnosis of CSF leak secondary to skull base fractures. Seventeen patients met inclusion criteria for this study. Mean age was 46 years old. Most common etiology was motor vehicle. Early surgery was performed in 8 patients, and late surgery in 9 patients. The most common site of CSF leak was at ethmoid cells or at the fronto-ethmoid junction in 9 patients. Thirteen patients (76.4%) were treated only with endonasal endoscopic technique, and 4 (23.5%) with hybrid surgery, combining endonasal endoscopic and cranial bicoronal approaches with nasal and pericranial vascularized flaps, and nasal mucosal free flaps. Mean hospital stay was 23.7 days.The mean follow-up time was 25.6 months. When surgical reconstruction is indicated for CSF leaks secondary to skull base fractures, endonasal endoscopic techniques should be part of the surgical management either as a sole procedure, or in combination with classical transcranial approaches with high rates of success and low morbidity.

Endoscopic endonasal lateral transellar approach for growth hormone-secreting adenomas with cavernous sinus invasion: Technical note and surgical results.

BACKGROUND: Cavernous sinus (CS) invasion is found in 15-20% of pituitary adenomas; it represents a poor prognosis factor and a surgical challenge even in experienced pituitary centers. We present our experience and technical note description for surgical management of pituitary adenomas with CS invasion in acromegaly by the transsellar lateral approach with an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal route. METHOD: prospective case series of patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery for Growing Hormone (GH) producing adenomas with CS invasion treated at the Neurosurgery departments of National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City, and of Toluca Medical Center of Social Security Institute of the State of Mexico and Provinces between January 2014 and March 2019. RESULTS: Thirty-two of 94 patients with diagnosis of pituitary adenoma treated at our institutions (34%) had acromegaly; thirteen of patients with acromegaly diagnosis met the inclusion criteria for CS invasion. Postoperative images reported gross total resection in 10 patients (76.9%). Mean follow-up time was 28.3 months. Remission criteria were achieved in nine patients (69.2%), with one of these patients (11.1%) having recurrence during follow up. All patients with no biochemical remission had improvement in GH and IGF profiles. Three patients without remission underwent radiosurgery (14Gy), and one patient had remission after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: We consider this to be a safe and efficient approach for tumors invading CS, when surgical team have good experience in endoscopy of the skull base and reconstruction techniques, appropriate instruments are available, and tumor has soft consistency.

Endoscopic endonasal lateral transellar approach for growth hormone-secreting adenomas with cavernous sinus invasion: Technical note and surgical results.

BACKGROUND: Cavernous sinus (CS) invasion is found in 15-20% of pituitary adenomas; it represents a poor prognosis factor and a surgical challenge even in experienced pituitary centers. We present our experience and technical note description for surgical management of pituitary adenomas with CS invasion in acromegaly by the transsellar lateral approach with an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal route. METHOD: prospective case series of patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery for Growing Hormone (GH) producing adenomas with CS invasion treated at the Neurosurgery departments of National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City, and of Toluca Medical Center of Social Security Institute of the State of Mexico and Provinces between January 2014 and March 2019. RESULTS: Thirty-two of 94 patients with diagnosis of pituitary adenoma treated at our institutions (34%) had acromegaly; thirteen of patients with acromegaly diagnosis met the inclusion criteria for CS invasion. Postoperative images reported gross total resection in 10 patients (76.9%). Mean follow-up time was 28.3 months. Remission criteria were achieved in nine patients (69.2%), with one of these patients (11.1%) having recurrence during follow up. All patients with no biochemical remission had improvement in GH and IGF profiles. Three patients without remission underwent radiosurgery (14Gy), and one patient had remission after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: We consider this to be a safe and efficient approach for tumors invading CS, when surgical team have good experience in endoscopy of the skull base and reconstruction techniques, appropriate instruments are available, and tumor has soft consistency.

Hybrid Technique for Cranial Defect Reconstruction: Surgical Results over a 10-Year Period in a Single Institution.

Decompressive craniectomy is an urgent procedure that is increasingly used for treatment of intracranial hypertension. After recovery, reconstruction of the cranial defect is necessary. Cranioplasty is an elective procedure with a high potential for morbidity if care is not taken on different surgical factors such as the material used as the cranial flap. In Latin America, high costs in some materials used in cranioplasty make its use prohibitive for some patients and institutions, and looking for alternatives has become a priority in neurosurgical centers. An autologous bone flap is an excellent option possessing the characteristics of an ideal material for cranioplasty. Nevertheless, its use is associated with high morbidity and flap failure. We report our mono-institutional experience in a 10-year period of a hybrid technique for cranioplasty using an autologous bone flap with titanium plates. Sixty-five patients underwent the technique, with good cosmetic results in 89.2% and success in functional result in 90.8% of patients . No significant statistical differences were found on the timing of the surgery or the location of the cranial defect. We had a 1.5% rate of surgical site infection, less than that reported on previous series. We propose that the hybrid technique of cranioplasty is a safety and effective option for cranial defect reconstruction.

Intradural spinal tumors: 10 - years surgical experience in a single institution.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to present the therapeutic results of intradural tumor management over a 10 years period in a single institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study consists in a prospective case series of patients treated at the neurosurgery service of the Social Security Institute of Mexico State and Provinces (ISSSEMYM), between January 2006 and December 2016. All patients were provided with information about the procedure and signed informed consent and institutional board approved files review for this study. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with intradural tumor were treated between 2006-2016. Most frequent lesions were extramedullary (30 patients, 85.7%). Most frequent tumor was Schwannoma, with thoracic/thoraco-lumbar location, being the most frequent location. All patients underwent surgical treatment, with total gross resection accomplished in 19 patients (54.3%). Surgical complication rate was 11.4%. Spine instrumentation was necessary in 26 patients (74.3%) because of bone destruction by the tumor, or bone removal for approach. All patients with intramedullary lesions and 5 patients (16.7%) with extramedullary lesions received post-operative radiotherapy. During the follow-up, 8.5% of patients had recurrence/progression of residual disease. CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgery is the treatment of choice for intradural spinal tumors, and gross total resection with low morbidity must be the surgical goal. When this is not possible, partial resection and adjuvant therapy with radiosurgery are a valid option. Patients most be long followed-up because of recurrence risk or disease progression.