Long-term Recovery Patterns of Olfactory Function after Trans-sphenoidal Approach with Nasoseptal Flap Elevation.

Introduction Nasoseptal flap is widely used in reconstruction of the skull base to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage after surgery for skull base lesions. There has been a debate on whether more severe olfactory dysfunction occurs after nasoseptal flap elevation than the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach. Objective To compare the long-term recovery patterns associated with nasoseptal flap and the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach. Methods The subjects were divided into the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group and the nasoseptal flap elevation group. We followed up self-reported olfactory score using the visual analogue scale and threshold discrimination identification (TDI) score of the Korean Version of the Sniffin Stick test II for 12 months, with olfactory training. Results The study included 31 patients who underwent the trans-sphenoidal approach. Compared with preoperative status, the mean visual analogue scale and TDI scores in the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group recovered 2 months postoperatively, while in the nasoseptal flap elevation group the visual analogue scale and TDI scores recovered 6 months and 3 months after surgery, respectively. Twelve months after surgery, the visual analogue scale and TDI scores in the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group were 9.3 ± 0.5 and 28.5 ± 4.3, while those from the nasoseptal flap elevation group were 8.9 ± 1.5 and 27.2 ± 4.7 ( p = 0.326; 0.473). Only one of the patients in the nasoseptal flap elevation group had permanent olfactory dysfunction. Conclusion The olfactory function recovered more gradually in the nasoseptal flap elevation group than in the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group, but there was no difference between the two groups after 6 months.

Long-term Recovery Patterns of Olfactory Function after Trans-sphenoidal Approach with Nasoseptal Flap Elevation

Abstract Introduction Nasoseptal flap is widely used in reconstruction of the skull base to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage after surgery for skull base lesions. There has been a debate on whether more severe olfactory dysfunction occurs after nasoseptal flap elevation than the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach. Objective To compare the long-term recovery patterns associated with nasoseptal flap and the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach. Methods The subjects were divided into the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group and the nasoseptal flap elevation group. We followed up self-reported olfactory score using the visual analogue scale and threshold discrimination identification (TDI) score of the Korean Version of the Sniffin Stick test II for 12 months, with olfactory training. Results The study included 31 patients who underwent the trans-sphenoidal approach. Compared with preoperative status, the mean visual analogue scale and TDI scores in the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group recovered 2 months postoperatively, while in the nasoseptal flap elevation group the visual analogue scale and TDI scores recovered 6 months and 3 months after surgery, respectively. Twelve months after surgery, the visual analogue scale and TDI scores in the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group were 9.3 ± 0.5 and 28.5 ± 4.3, while those from the nasoseptal flap elevation group were 8.9 ± 1.5 and 27.2 ± 4.7 (p = 0.326; 0.473). Only one of the patients in the nasoseptal flap elevation group had permanent olfactory dysfunction. Conclusion The olfactory function recovered more gradually in the nasoseptal flap elevation group than in the conventional trans-sphenoidal approach group, but there was no difference between the two groups after 6 months.

Resection of Clival Chordoma Through the Anterior Clivectomy: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Clival chordomas are rare malignant behaving tumors that grow, locally invade, metastasize, and seed, and they have a high recurrence rate.1,2 The longest disease control is achieved by radical resection followed by high doses of radiation therapy, commonly proton beam.3 To achieve radical tumor removal, multiple surgical procedures through different approaches might be required.4 Since the chordoma's origin is, and remains, extradural, an extradural approach is preferred, and can lead to intradural extension. Anterior approach is frequently utilized to remove the midline-located tumor and the eroded clivus.5 Several midline approaches were utilized, including the transbasal, transfacial, transcervical, open door, and Lefort's maxillotomies1; however, the same tumor removal can be achieved with a simple extension of the trans-sphenoidal approach, by resecting the anterior maxillary wall, of the contralateral to the lesion preponderant side.5 This approach coupled with the use of neuronavigation on mobile head and endoscopic-assisted technique allowed to achieve a wide and direct exposure, with the ability to resect extra- and intradural tumors.2,5 Lately, the endonasal endoscopic technique became popular as an alternative4; however, we found a great advantage in the ability to combine the stereoscopic microsurgical technique with the endoscopic dissection, in addition to avoiding the extensive nasal dissection and its complications. We present a case of a 63-yr old woman with an upper clivus chordoma compressing the brainstem who underwent a gross total resection by endoscopic-assisted microscopic techniques through an anterior clivectomy approach. Patient consented to the procedure and publication of her images.

Anatomical Risk Factors for Intraoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks During Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas are among the most clinically important and frequent complications of transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas. Between the adenoma and the CSF, a "barrier" exists that consists of ≤3 elements. These, from cephalad to caudad, are the arachnoid, dura mater (sellar diaphragm), and pituitary glandular tissue. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the presence or absence of any of these 3 anatomical elements would be associated with the development of an intraoperative CSF fistula. METHODS: From November 2016 to June 2018, 40 patients with pituitary adenomas underwent surgery, by transsphenoidal endonasal access, under a microscope. All procedures were filmed in 3 dimensions. The intraoperative findings and preoperative magnetic resonance images were analyzed and compared. The patients who had developed a fistula were compared against those who had not. RESULTS: In 20 patients, glandular tissue was identified between the tumor and subarachnoid space. In 13, dura mater was evident, and in 7, only the arachnoid was noted. An intraoperative CSF fistula occurred in 6 patients, all of whom had the arachnoid as the only barrier. The presence of a fistula was significantly more likely statistically for patients with an arachnoid-only barrier than for those with any other barrier composition (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical architecture forming the roof of the pituitary fossa is an important determinant of intraoperative CSF fistula risk. When the barrier consists of only the arachnoid, the risk will be significantly greater than when the barrier contains additional elements. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging would be useful to determine the type of the existing barrier.

Análisis y seguimiento en 50 cirugías trans-esfenoidales de la región sellar / Analysis and monitoring in 50 consecutive transsphenoidal surgeries

El tratamiento de las lesiones de la región selar requiere un equipo multidisciplinario. La evaluación y seguimiento endocrinológico, neurooftalmológico y neuroradiológico, así como el desarrollo de la técnica quirúrgica, el diagnóstico histopatológico y a decisión sobre el tratamiento complementario apuntan a un manejo más integral de esta patología con el objetivo de lograr mejores resultados. Debido a la baja morbi-mortalidad del acceso transesfenoidal, la gran mayoría de las cirugías de la región selar se realizan con este acceso. Este estudio analiza retrospectivamente 50 cirugías transesfenoidales consecutivas realizadas por el autor, incluyendo la clínica, evaluación preoperatoria, algunos aspectos técnicos quirúrgicos, diagnóstico anátomopatológico, así como resultado y seguimiento postoperatorio en las diferentes patologías, con especial énfasis en aspectos como residuo tumoral, resultados endocrinológicos, neurooftalmológicos y complicaciones quirúrgicas. Los resultados fueron analizados estadísticamente y se compararon con los de la literatura.

The treatment of sellar region lesions requires a multidisciplinary approach. The endocrinologic, neuro-ophthalmologic and neuroradiologic evaluation and follow-up, as well as the development of the surgical technique, the histopathologic findings and the decision about complementary therapy aim to a more comprehensive treatment of these pathologies in order to achieve better outcome. Due to the low morbimortality risk of transsphenoidal approach, most of the surgeries of the sellar region are performed by way of this route. This study analyses retrospectively 50 consecutive transsphenoidal surgeries performed by the author, including clinical picture, preoperative evaluation, some issues regarding surgical technique, histopathological diagnosis, as well as results and follow-up in different diseases with special emphasis in residual tumor, endocrinologic and neuro-ophthalmologic outcome, and surgical complications. Results were statistically analyzed and compared to the literature.