Critical Review and Consensus Statement for Neural Monitoring in Otolaryngologic Head, Neck, and Endocrine Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Enhancing patient outcomes in an array of surgical procedures in the head and neck requires the maintenance of complex regional functions through the protection of cranial nerve integrity. This review and consensus statement cover the scope of cranial nerve monitoring of all cranial nerves that are of practical importance in head, neck, and endocrine surgery except for cranial nerves VII and VIII within the temporal bone. Complete and applied understanding of neurophysiologic principles facilitates the surgeon's ability to monitor the at-risk nerve. METHODS: The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) identified the need for a consensus statement on cranial nerve monitoring. An AAO-HNS task force was created through soliciting experts on the subject. Relevant domains were identified, including residency education, neurophysiology, application, and various techniques for monitoring pertinent cranial nerves. A document was generated to incorporate and consolidate these domains. The panel used a modified Delphi method for consensus generation. RESULTS: Consensus was achieved in the domains of education needs and anesthesia considerations, as well as setup, troubleshooting, and documentation. Specific cranial nerve monitoring was evaluated and reached consensus for all cranial nerves in statement 4 with the exception of the spinal accessory nerve. Although the spinal accessory nerve's value can never be marginalized, the task force did not feel that the existing literature was as robust to support a recommendation of routine monitoring of this nerve. In contrast, there is robust supporting literature cited and consensus for routine monitoring in certain procedures, such as thyroid surgery, to optimize patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The AAO-HNS Cranial Nerve Monitoring Task Force has provided a state-of-the-art review in neural monitoring in otolaryngologic head, neck, and endocrine surgery. The evidence-based review was complemented by consensus statements utilizing a modified Delphi method to prioritize key statements to enhance patient outcomes in an array of surgical procedures in the head and neck. A precise definition of what actually constitutes intraoperative nerve monitoring and its benefits have been provided.

Anesthesia Type is Associated with Decreased Cranial Nerve Injury in Carotid Endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia modalities for carotid endarterectomy continue to vary nationally. We evaluated and compared short-term outcomes after carotid endarterectomy with general anesthesia (GA) and regional anesthesia (RA) in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. METHODS: The 2011-2015 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use Data Files (PUFs) with merged Vascular Procedure-Targeted PUFs for carotid endarterectomy were queried for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Postoperative complications, mortality, and hospital length of stay in patients undergoing GA or RA were compared. RESULTS: A total of 14,447 patients were evaluated: 12,389 (85.7%) with GA and 2,058 (14.3%) with RA. The use of GA was inversely associated with patients' age (88.0% in patients aged 22-64 years vs. 83.4% in patients aged ≥80 years, P < 0.0001) and with symptomatic presentation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-1.38). There were no differences between GA and RA for in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, or postoperative complications of transient ischemic attack, stroke, bleeding, acute renal failure, or restenosis. However, rates of cranial nerve injury were significantly higher in GA than in RA (2.9% vs. 1.7%, respectively; P < 0.002) and confirmed by multivariable analysis (OR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.19-2.39). Total operative time was also longer for GA than for RA (median: 115 minutes; Interquartile range (IQR): 89-145 versus median: 93 minutes; IQR: 76-119, respectively; P < 0.0001). Hospital length of stay was greater in GA than in RA (median: 1 day; IQR 1-2 vs. median: 1 day; IQR 1-1, respectively; P < 0.0001), as were 30-day readmission rates (6.7% vs. 5.4%, respectively; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic nerve injury is a feared complication of carotid endarterectomy, especially in elective asymptomatic patients. RA reduces the rate of cranial nerve injury compared with GA. RA is also not inferior to GA for postoperative complications with the benefit of shorter operative times, lengths of hospital stay, and decreased 30-day readmission rates. Consideration should be given to more widespread adoption of this underused anesthesia modality.

Technique Nuances for Functional Preservation of Lower Cranial Nerves during Surgical Management of Ventral Foramen Magnum Meningiomas Via a Dorsal Lateral Approach.

BACKGROUND: This study established novel technique nuances in surgery for ventral foramen magnum meningiomas (vFMMs) via a dorsal lateral approach. METHODS: From July 2012 to July 2019, 37 patients with vFMMs underwent tumor resection surgery and were operated on with a dorsal lateral approach. Two safe zones were selected as the entrance of the surgical corridor. Safe zone I was located between the dural attachment of the first dental ligament (FDL) and the branches of C1; safe zone II lay between the dural attachment of the FDL and the jugular foramen. The tumor was debulked first through safe zone I and then through safe zone II. The tumor was removed through a trajectory from the caudal to cephalad to allow tumor debulking from below and downward delivery, away from the brainstem and lower cranial nerves. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients underwent gross total resection, and 4 patients underwent subtotal resection. Four patients transiently required a nasogastric feeding tube. All patients recovered within 3 months postoperatively. Three patients (8.1%) developed permanent mild hoarseness and dysphagia as a result of postoperative damage of cranial nerves IX and X. One patient underwent tracheotomy. No patient experienced tumor recurrence during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: We established a minimal retraction principle, in which the selection of 2 safe zones as the entrance of the surgical corridor, tumor removal from the inferior to superior direction, and debulking followed by devascularization were the key elements to implement the minimal retraction principle in vFMM surgery.

Mini-Skin Incision for Carotid Endarterectomy: Neurological Morbidity and Health-related Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: Cranial and cervical nerve (CCN) injury is recognized as a possible complication after carotid endarterectomy (CEA), which may result in minor local neurologic deficiencies and significant discomfort for the patient. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a mini-skin incision (<5 cm) on the CCN injury after CEA in comparison to standard longitudinal incision of 12-15 cm in a high volume center, and to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in those patients who had undergone both types of the skin incision. METHODS: From January 2013 to December 2019, 446 CEAs (47.3%) were performed through a standard neck incision of 12-15 cm (group A), while 496 (52.7%) were performed through a mini-skin incision (<5 cm) (group B). Sixty-two patients underwent standard neck incision on one side and mini-skin incision on the other side (subgroup B). The main outcome measures were stroke, death, CCN injuries, cervical hematoma rates, and reinterventions. The HRQOL was assessed at baseline and after 30 days using Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 and 6 disease-specific modified Likert scales. RESULTS: The stroke and death rate at 30 days was 1.12% in group A and 1% in group B (P = 1). The incidence of CCN deficits was significantly lower in group B (5.1%) in comparison to group A (13.4%) (P < 0.001). The cervical hematoma was more common after standard incision (4.9% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.02). HRQOL at 1 month showed that the outcomes after mini-skin incision were significantly better for less difficulty with eating/swallowing and neck pain (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CEA through a small incision (<5 cm) may reduce CCN complications without additional perioperative neurologic risks. As validated by patients with bilateral disease who experienced both surgical techniques, mini-skin incision is also associated with better HRQOL at 1 month, particularly with regard to eating/swallowing and neck pain.

Anatomic Danger Zones of the Head and Neck.

BACKGROUND: Dermatologic procedures require a detailed understanding of surface anatomy to avoid complications. The head and neck region has prominent danger zones including nerves and vasculature that may be at risk during cutaneous surgery. A thorough understanding of these danger zones can help avoid complications that may lead to functional or cosmetic impairment. METHODS: The anatomic literature regarding the course of high-risk structures of the head and neck was reviewed. Structures deemed at risk during dermatologic procedures were included in the analysis. The final analysis focused on branches of the facial nerve, parotid duct, spinal accessory nerve, trigeminal nerve, and the lacrimal system. Anatomical information was compiled regarding each high-risk structure to develop a "danger zone" at which each respective structure is at risk. RESULTS: The danger zone for each structure was compiled based on the review of the literature and depicted in the figures. CONCLUSION: With careful attention to anatomy and the meticulous surgical technique, there is great potential for reduction in surgical injury to danger zones of the head and neck.

Approaches to Reducing Risk in Rhytidectomy Surgery.

Please verify edit, "complications could". All operations have sequelae. These are to be expected and must be told to patients. With surgery, the risk of complications is ever-present albeit infrequent. Facelift surgeons have ethical and intellectual duties to fully inform patients of these risks. Surgeons also must have strategies to reduce the risks, knowledge in how to manage each potential risk, and ability to help patients understand how complications could have occurred and how to cope with them. This article discusses facelift complications, the causes thereof, and how to assess a problem, manage each complication, and comfort a distraught patient.

Techniques and challenges of the expanded endoscopic endonasal access to the ventrolateral skull base during the "far-medial" and "extreme medial" approaches.

BACKGROUND: Expanding the ventrolateral skull base corridor from the midline of lower clivus to the petroclival fissure is a challenging endonasal surgical task. Resection of lytic lesions like chondrosarcoma can cause cranial nerve morbidities and injury of ICA, necessitating accurate knowledge of correlative endoscopic anatomy with stereotactic landmarks. METHODS: We describe an extended endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for a right petroclival chondrosarcoma with the demonstration of ipsilateral surgical landmarks with contralateral normal correlates, using a stepwise comparative image-guided cadaveric dissection study. CONCLUSION: EEA for lytic lesions like chondrosarcomas needs to address brain shift and displacement of ICA, posing a chance for cranial nerve morbidities and ICA injury. Meticulous utilization of intraoperative stereotactic landmarks can help avoid and mitigate surgical complications.

Endoscopic prelacrimal approach to lateral recess of sphenoid sinus: feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Various pathologies, including cerebrospinal fluid leaks and meningoencephaloceles, may arise in the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus (LRSS), which may be accessed via an endonasal transpterygoid approach. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of accessing the LRSS via an endoscopic prelacrimal approach. Furthermore, we hypothesized that this approach may protect the pterygopalatine ganglion and vidian nerve. METHODS: Five cadaveric heads (9 sides) with a well-pneumatized LRSS were identified and an endonasal prelacrimal approach was performed. The infraorbital nerve, at the orbital floor, served as a critical landmark. After identification of the foramen rotundum at the pterygoid base, the vascular compartment of the pterygopalatine fossa and the pterygopalatine ganglion were displaced inferomedially and superomedially, respectively. Drilling of the bone inferomedial to the foramen rotundum allowed entry into the LRSS. RESULTS: The average distances from the prelacrimal window to the pterygoid base and the posterior wall of the LRSS were 6.22 ± 0.39 cm and 7.16 ± 0.50 cm, respectively. The average areas of the bony prelacrimal window and pterygoid base window were 4.33 ± 0.32 cm2 and 0.73 ± 0.10 cm2 , respectively. The LRSS could be accessed using a 0-degree endoscope, and pterygopalatine neurovascular structures, including the pterygopalatine ganglion and vidian nerve, could be preserved on all 9 sides. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that an endonasal prelacrimal approach provides a reasonable alternative to access the LRSS while preserving the vidian nerve and pterygopalatine ganglion.

Preservation of cranial nerve function following awake surgery for benign brain tumors in 22 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Preservation of cranial nerve function in patients with benign tumors such as meningiomas and vestibular schwannomas remains difficult following microsurgery. METHODS: In this study, awake surgery was performed in 22 consecutive patients with meningiomas or vestibular schwannomas that compressed cranial nerves (I-XII). Improved, unchanged, or deteriorated cranial nerve function after surgery was evaluated. RESULTS: The function of 44 cranial nerves in 22 consecutive patients who underwent awake surgery for meningiomas or vestibular schwannomas improved, was unchanged, or deteriorated in eight, 35, and one nerves, respectively. Regarding the function of the olfactory (Ist) nerve, which is difficult to preserve, hyposmia improved after surgery in two patients with olfactory groove meningiomas. Regarding the auditory (VIIIth) nerve, which is also difficult to preserve, the function was improved, unchanged, or deteriorated after surgery in two, 11, and one patients, respectively, with cerebello-pontine angle meningiomas or vestibular schwannomas. In all patients with serviceable auditory function before surgery, function was preserved after surgery. In the same patients, the function of the facial (VIIth) nerve was also preserved after surgery in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that awake surgery for benign brain tumors such as meningiomas and vestibular schwannomas is associated with low patient morbidity regarding cranial nerve function.

Electrical stimulation-based nerve location prediction for cranial nerve VII localization in acoustic neuroma surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Cranial nerve (CN) VII localization is a critical step during acoustic neuroma surgery because the nerve is generally hidden due to the tumor mass. The patient can suffer from Bell's palsy if the nerve is accidentally damaged during tumor removal. Surgeons localize CN VII by exploring the target area with a stimulus probe. Compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) are elicited when the probe locates the nerve. However, false positives and false negatives are possible due to unpredictable tissue impedance in the operative area. Moreover, a single CMAP amplitude is not correlated with probe-to-nerve distance. OBJECTIVES: This paper presents a new modality for nerve localization. The probe-to-nerve distance is predicted by the proposed nerve location prediction model. METHODS: Input features are extracted from CMAP responses, tissue impedance, and stimulus current. The tissue impedance is calculated from the estimated resistance and capacitance of the tissue equivalent circuit. In this study, experiments were conducted in animals. A frog's sciatic nerve and gastrocnemius were used to represent CN VII and facial muscle in humans, respectively. Gelatin (2.8%) was used as a mock material to mimic an acoustic neuroma. The %NaCl applied to the mock material was used to emulate uncontrollable impedance of tissue in the operative area. RESULTS: The 10-fold cross-validation results revealed an average prediction accuracy of 86.71% and an average predicted error of 0.76 mm compared with the measurement data. CONCLUSION: The proposed nerve location prediction model could predict the probe-to-nerve distance across various impedances of the mock material.

Prevalence and measurement of anterior loop of the mandibular canal using CBCT: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Anterior loop of the mental nerve is a very important anatomic landmark in implant placement and anterior mandibular osteotomies. PURPOSE: Two-dimensional imaging techniques are not competent enough to locate and measure the mental nerve loop in majority of the cases. Any injury to this loop results in pain/paresthesia/numbness in the region supplied by the mental nerve. The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence and measure the length of the loop using cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) and calculate the average length and prevalence so that a safe margin can be given while placing the implants or the osteotomy cuts in the premolar region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done using CBCT images of 85 patients taken for impaction surgery. The length of the loop was measured in mm using standardized lines drawn along specific anatomic landmarks. RESULTS: In our study 11.76% of patients had anterior loop in their mental nerve. Mean length of the mental nerve loop was calculated and found to be 2.79 mm. CONCLUSION: A margin of 4 mm anterior to the mental foramen should be safe to avoid any damage to the mental nerve loop bundle in majority of the cases where the loop is present.

Identification of the External Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve during Thyroid Surgery.

AIM: To compare the level of intra-operative identification of external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) through classical conventional clinical methods of prevention against those applying intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 102 patients with interventions on the thyroid gland performed in the surgical clinics of St George University Hospital and the Department of Special Surgery of Plovdiv Medical University. All operative procedures were performed by the standard technique of capsular dissection and IONM. RESULTS: Of all 102 thyroid procedures 87 (85.3%) patients underwent total thyroidectomy and 15 (14.7%) had unilateral thyroid lobectomy. One hundred fifty-five (82.01%) out of 189 expected EBSLN were identified and investigated intraoperatively when trying to identify visually EBSLN by the so called classical (conventional) methods of prevention. With the use of IONM, 181 (96.76%) EBSLN were correctly identified. Compared to the preliminary results of visual identification - 155/189 (82.01%) EBSLN, the degree of identification of EBSLN through IONM reached 96.76% which is a statistically significant difference (P <0.05) Conclusion: The use of IONM during thyroid resection significantly improves the degree of identification of EBSLN compared to conventional means of prevention. Routine use of IONM in surgical interventions on the thyroid gland will be beneficial for more secure identification and prevention of EBSLN.

Comparison of the Effects of Ultrasonic and Conventional Surgery on the Neurosensory Disturbance After Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy.

PURPOSE: According to the literature, ultrasonic surgery reduces the incidence of neurosensory disturbance (NSD) of the inferior alveolar nerve (IFAN) after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ultrasonic surgery and the anatomic position of the IFAN canal on NSD after BSSO. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included skeletal mandibular prognathism cases operated on with an ultrasonic bone scalpel or a reciprocating saw. The primary predictor variable was osteotomy technique (ultrasonic or conventional surgery). The primary outcome variable was NSD. Other variables included age, gender, operator, degree of setback, surgical duration, blood loss, and IFAN position. Comparisons of 2 variables were performed by use of the Student t test or Fisher exact test. A regression model was used to examine the relationship between the presence or absence of NSD and other variables. The level of significance was set at P < .05 for all statistical tests. RESULTS: The ultrasonic group was composed of 35 patients, whereas the conventional group was composed of 32. Three months after surgery, NSD was observed on 16 of 70 sides (22.9%) in the ultrasonic group and 28 of 64 sides (43.8%) in the conventional group; this difference was significant. Furthermore, recovery from NSD at 3 months after BSSO was significantly more common in the ultrasonic group than in the conventional group. In the ultrasonic group, even when the distance from the buccal aspect of the IFAN canal to the outer buccal cortical margin was shorter, NSD of the IFAN was less frequent. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonic surgery may be an effective technique to reduce the incidence of NSD after BSSO, and it contributed to recovery from NSD. The use of an ultrasonic device for BSSO is recommended when the distance from the buccal aspect of the IFAN canal to the outer buccal cortical margin is shorter on computed tomography.

Safe zone in anterior mandible related to the genial tubercle for implant osteotomy in a Chinese-Malaysian population: A CBCT study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The genial tubercle is a clinically palpable landmark in the mandible and can be identified in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Its location can be used to measure the safe zone in the interforaminal region of the mandible. These measurements may be helpful for implant treatment planning in patients with complete edentulism. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the safe distance in the interforaminal region of the mandible measured from the genial tubercle level for implant osteotomy in a Chinese-Malaysian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 201 Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files were selected for the study from the CBCTs of dentate or edentulous Chinese-Malaysian adult patients with ongoing or completed treatments. Measurements were made with implant planning software. The anatomy of the whole mandible was assessed in the coronal cross-sectional, horizontal view and in panoramic view. Measurements were obtained in millimeters on one side by locating and marking a genial tubercle and then marking the mesial margin of the mental foramen and the anterior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve. The corresponding points of these landmarks were identified on the crest of the mandibular ridge to measure the linear distances. All the measurement steps were repeated on the other side. The linear distance of 2 mm was deducted from the total distance between the genial tubercle and the anterior loop separately for left and right side measurements to identify the safe zone. The mixed 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to analyze side and sex-related variations. RESULTS: The mean safe zone measured at the crestal level from the genial tubercle site on the left side of the mandible was 21.12 mm and 21.67 mm on the right side. A statistically significant (P<.05) difference was found between the left and right sides of the safe zone measurements in both men and women. No statistically significant differences were found in the safe zone between men and women on either the left or right side (P=.655). The minimum distance from the genial tubercle to the right side safe zone in women was 12.82 mm and 14.99 mm in men; however, on the left side, the minimum distance was observed to be 14.81 mm in women and 15.54 mm in men. CONCLUSIONS: The safe zone related to the genial tubercle was 21.12 mm on the left side and 21.67 mm on the right side, with no significant sex-related variations. Within the same individuals, a significant difference was found in the safe zone between the left and right side.

Morphometric relationships between the mandibular canal and the molar teeth: a tomographic analysis report / Relaciones morfométricas entre el canal mandibular y los dientes molares: reporte de un análisis tomográfico

Some dental treatments that are performed in the mandibular teeth involve manipulation of anatomical structures near the dental periapex, so it is likely to cause nerve damage due to the proximity of the inferior alveolar nerve with the apices of the mandibular teeth, mainly in the molar area. The aim of this study was to determine through Computed Tomography (CT) scan the existing distance between the mandibular canal and the anatomical structures adjacent to its path which will help to reduce the risk of injury to the inferior alveolar nerve during the different dental treatments developed in this zone. A cross-sectional study was performed where the study population consisted of 50 patients of both sexes, between 20 and 30 years with a full dentition mandible. Patients underwent a CT study of the mandible with coronal planes at 1.5 mm, the right side and the left side of each jaw were considered for the analysis and millimetric measuring was held of the distances of the mandibular canal (MC) from different anatomical structures. Subsequently, a statistical analysis was performed to obtain the mean and standard deviation of the distances between the mandibular canal and some adjacent anatomical structures. The distance from the alveolar nerve canal to the apex of the lower third molar in average was 1.49 mm on the right side and 1.69 mm on the left side, the distance between the mandibular canal and lingual cortical at the lower first molar level on average was 3.54 mm on the right side and 4.02 mm on the left side and the distance between the lingual cortical at the second molar level was on average 2.86 mm on the right side and 3.6 mm on the left side.

Algunos tratamientos dentales que se realizan en los dientes mandibulares implican la manipulación de estructuras anatómicas cercanas al periapice dental, por lo que existe la probabilidad de causar lesiones nerviosas debido a la cercanía del canal mandibular con los ápices de los dientes mandibulares, principalmente los molares. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar a través de tomografía computarizada la distancia existente entre el canal mandibular a las estructuras anatómicas adyacentes a su trayecto lo que ayudará a disminuir el riesgo de lesiones del nervio alveolar inferior durante los diferentes tratamientos dentales desarrollados en esta zona. Se realizó un estudio transversal en donde la población de estudio estuvo compuesta por 50 pacientes de ambos sexos, entre 20 a 30 años con dentición completa en mandíbula. A los pacientes se les realizó un estudio de Tomografía Computarizada (TC) en mandíbula con cortes coronales a 1.5mm, se consideraron para el análisis el lado derecho y el lado izquierdo de cada mandíbula, y se realizó la medición milimétrica de las distancias que existen desde el CNAI a diferentes estructuras anatómicas. Posteriormente, se realizó un análisis estadístico para obtener Medias y Desviación Estándar de las distancias que existen entre el canal mandibular y algunas estructuras anatómicas adyacentes. La distancia del canal mandibular al ápice del tercer molar inferior en promedio fue de 1,49 mm del lado derecho y de 1,69 mm del lado izquierdo,la distancia entre el canal mandibular y la cortical lingual a nivel del primer molar inferior en promedio fue de 3,54 mm del lado derecho y de 4,02 mm del lado izquierdo y la distancia entre la cortical lingual a nivel del segundo molar fue en promedio de 2,86 mm del lado derecho y de 3,6 mm del lado izquierdo.

Anatomical study of the internal nasal branch of the infraorbital nerve: Application to Minimizing Nerve Damage With Surgery In and Around the Nose.

The internal nasal branch of the infraorbital nerve (ION) runs down the nose and around the ala to be distributed to the nasal septum and vestibule. The aim of this study was to measure the internal nasal branch around the ala of the nose and discuss its possible relevance in clinical/surgical practice. Twelve sides from seven specimens derived from fresh frozen and embalmed Caucasian cadaveric heads were dissected. The specimens included three males and four females. The ages of the cadavers at death ranged from 65 to 84 years. The diameter of the internal nasal branch, horizontal distance from the lateral contour of the ala (Point A) to the branch (distance H) and vertical distance from the bottom part of the ala (Point B) to the branch (distance V) were recorded. Distance H ranged from -1.6 to 1.5 mm on right sides and -1.0 to 1.5 mm on left sides. The diameter of the nerves at Point A ranged from 1.3 to 1.8 mm on right sides and 1.3 to 1.6 mm on left sides. Distance V ranged from -1.5 to 1.0 mm on right sides and -2.3 to 1.1 mm on left sides. The diameter of the nerves at Point B ranged from 0.7 to 1.3 mm on right sides and 0.8 to 1.2 mm on left sides. The results of this study are the first to detail the topography of the internal nasal branch of the ION. Clin. Anat. 30:817-820, 2017. © 2017Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Intensity modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, dose constraint for normal tissue: Cochlea vestibular apparatus and brainstem]. / Radiothérapie conformationnelle avec modulation d'intensité des cancers des voies aérodigestives supérieures, dose de tolérance des tissus sains : appareil cochléovestibulaire et tronc cérébral.

Modern techniques such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) have been proven to significantly decrease the dose delivered to the cochleovestibular apparatus, limiting consecutive toxicity especially for sensorineural hearing loss. However, recent data still report a 42% rate of radio-induced hypoacusia underscoring the need to protect the cochleovestibular apparatus. Due to the small size of the cochlea, a precise dose-volume analysis could not be performed, and recommendations only refer to the mean dose. Confusing factors such as age, concomitant chemotherapy, primary site and tumor stage should be taken into account at the time of treatment planning. (Non-coplanar) VMAT and tomotherapy have been proven better at sparing the cochlea in comparison with 3D CRT. Brainstem radio-induced injuries were poorly studied because of their infrequency and the difficulty of distinguishing between necrosis and tumor progression in the case of a primary tumor located at the base of skull. The following toxicities have been described: brainstem focal radionecrosis, cognitive disorders without dementia, cranial nerve injuries and sensori motor disability. Maximal dose to the brainstem should be kept to < 54Gy for conventional fractionation. This dose could be exceeded (no more than 10mL should receive more than 59Gy), provided this hot spot is located in the peripheral area of the organ.

Microsurgical resection of vestibular schwannomas: complication avoidance.

Vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery requires appropriate patient selection, meticulous microsurgical technique and optimal post-operative care. Focused radiation is an effective alternative for the treatment of smaller VSs. For VS surgery to remain a reasonable option, surgery must be performed with a limited number of complications. Complication rates for VS surgery have increased over the last decade. This is likely due to (1) decreased surgical volume and as a result decreased microsurgical experience, (2) larger tumors undergoing surgery while smaller tumors are reserved for radiation, and (3) surgery for previously radiated tumors resulting in more difficult anatomic dissection. Appropriate management of complications is paramount. Herein, we discuss complications related to VS microsurgery and methods of avoidance. Specifically, we discuss the most frequently encountered complications, intraoperative monitoring and finally, methods of addressing these complications. With meticulous microsurgical technique, careful intraoperative monitoring and vigilant perioperative care one will ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia: Technical Refinement for Complication Avoidance.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular decompression (MVD) represents the most effective and safe surgical option for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia since it was first popularized by Jannetta 50 years ago. Despite several advances, complications such as cerebellar and vascular injury, hearing loss, muscular atrophy, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, postoperative cutaneous pain, and sensory disturbances still occur and may negatively affect the outcome. We propose some technical nuances of the surgical procedure that were used in our recent series. METHODS: We used a novel hockey stick-shaped retromastoid skin incision, preserving the major nerves of the occipital and temporal areas. Microsurgical steps were performed without the use of retractors. CSF leakage was prevented with a watertight dural closure and multilayer osteodural reconstruction. RESULTS: The refined surgical steps were perfected in the last consecutive 15 cases of our series. In these cases we did not record any cutaneous pain, sensory disturbances, or CSF leakage. The average diameter of the craniectomy was 18 mm. No patient reported major complications related to the intradural microsurgical maneuvers. In all cases the neurovascular conflict was found and solved with a good outcome in terms of pain disappearance. CONCLUSIONS: Our minimally invasive approach was demonstrated to guarantee an optimal exposure of the cerebellopontine angle and minimize the rate of complications related to skin incision and muscular dissection, microsurgical steps, and closure.