Intraosseous Hemangioma of Sella: Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Primary intraosseous hemangioma (PIH) of the skull base, when localized in the sella, is a rare, benign lesion that can mimic other common sellar tumors. Such tumors may be asymptomatic incidental radiologic findings or present with nonspecific symptoms (e.g., headaches). CASE DESCRIPTION: :We present a case of a primary intraosseous hemangioma of the body of sphenoid bone extending into the sellar cavity, clinicoradiographically mimicking an atypical pituitary adenoma. CONCLUSIONS: PIH should be included as a rare differential diagnosis in cases of space-occupying sellar lesions with atypical features. Radiologic and intraoperative findings may be suited to entertain a probable diagnosis; however, a definite diagnosis can only be obtained via histopathologic analysis. Surgical excision may be chosen under the assumption of dealing with a primary pituitary lesion, but extent of resection depends on the accessibility, extent, involvement of surrounding structures (such as the internal carotid artery/cavernous sinus), and control of intraoperative bleeding. When facing inoperable or residual lesions, radiotherapy can be a viable option.

Endoscopic and Microscopic Extended Subfrontal Approach to the Clivus: A Comparative Anatomical Study.

Ten cadaveric heads fixed and injected were dissected in the operative position. An enlarged subfrontal approach was adopted. The clival bone was drilled as much as possible under direct microscopic vision. Dissection in blind angles was avoided until the clival dura was exposed. The rigid 4-mm endoscope (angled 0 degrees and 30 degrees) was secured in a holder so the surgical cavity could be inspected. The residual bone was drilled under endoscopic visualization. The amount of bone removed was measured and compared with that removed under microscopic view. Blind angles in both microscopic and endoscopic views were recorded. The additional area of clival bone removed under endoscopic visualization compared with microscopic visualization was 467 mm(2) (range, 176 to 753 mm(2); standard deviation, 208.8 mm(2)).The amount of additional bone removed under endoscopy was inversely and significantly related to the minimal distance between the vertical segment of the two cavernous carotid arteries (p = 0.04). The endoscope is of great value in the removal of clival bone through the extended subfrontal approach. Its use improves the visualization of angles that are blind under the microscope.

Endoscope-assisted microsurgery for intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: We discuss the role of the endoscope in the microsurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms, analyzing its benefits, risks, and disadvantages. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 55 patients with 79 aneurysms, treated between July 1998 and June 2001, for whom the endoscope was used as an adjunct in the microsurgical treatment of their lesions. Seventy-one aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation, and eight were located in the posterior circulation. Thirty-seven patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Eighteen patients had unruptured aneurysms, of whom 5 presented with mass effect, 2 presented with transient ischemic attacks, and 11 were without symptoms. In all cases, the endoscope was used in addition to microsurgical dissection and clipping (sometimes before clipping, sometimes during clipping, and always after clipping), for observation of the neck anatomic features and perforators and verification of the optimal clip position. Intraoperative angiography was performed for all patients after aneurysm clipping. RESULTS: In the majority of cases, the endoscope was very useful for the assessment of regional anatomic features. It allowed better observation of anatomic features, compared with the microscope, for 26 aneurysms; in 15 cases, pertinent anatomic information could be obtained only with the endoscope. The duration of temporary clipping of the parent artery was significantly reduced for two patients. The clip was repositioned because of a residual neck or inclusion of the parent vessel during aneurysm clipping in six cases, and the clip position was readjusted because of compression of the optic nerve in one case. One patient experienced a small aneurysm rupture that was directly related to use of the endoscope, but this was easily controlled, with no sequelae. For many patients, the combination of the neuro-endoscope and the micro-Doppler probe made intraoperative angiography redundant. CONCLUSION: "Endoscope-assisted microsurgery" is a major advance in the microsurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms; the endoscope allows better observation of regional anatomic features because of its magnification, illumination, and ability to "look around corners."

Cerebral revascularization for aneurysms and tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the indications, techniques, pitfalls, complication avoidance, and management of cerebral revascularization techniques for the treatment of aneurysms and cranial base tumors. METHODS: The indications for cerebral revascularization procedures included microsurgical occlusion of a parent vessel during the treatment of aneurysms and occlusion of a major vessel during the treatment of basal tumors. The techniques discussed include arterial patch grafting, end-to-end anastomosis, side-to-side anastomosis, arterial interposition grafting, and extracranial-to-intracranial bypass grafting, using radial artery grafts or saphenous vein grafts. RESULTS: During the 15-year period between 1985 and 2000, the senior author performed 24 radial artery grafts, 105 saphenous vein grafts, and 8 other revascularization procedures, among 50 patients with aneurysms and 83 patients with cranial base tumors. The overall patency rate was 95.6%. Twenty-three patients experienced a cerebral infarction; among those patients, 17 (12.5%) exhibited symptoms but the majority demonstrated considerable recovery during the follow-up period. One hundred one patients recovered to an excellent (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 5) or good (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 4) condition. Fifteen patients died as a result of recurrence or progression of tumors during the follow-up period. There were five perioperative deaths. For the last 35 patients, the surgical mortality rate was 0%, with all patients returning to an excellent or good condition. CONCLUSION: Although highly specialized, these sophisticated cerebral revascularization techniques should be learned and practiced by all neurosurgeons who wish to microsurgically treat intracranial aneurysms or cranial base tumors.