Endoscopic Endonasal Transpterygoid Approach and the Need for Myringotomy.

OBJECTIVE: The expanded endonasal transpterygoid approach (EETA) is used to access the middle and posterior fossa through the pterygoid process. Traditionally, the eustachian tube (ET) was resected during EETA, which often required subsequent myringotomy for inner ear drainage. Anterolateral transposition of the ET was proposed to decrease potential morbidity associated with resection. However, a comparison of resection versus transposition regarding the need for subsequent myringotomy has not been reported. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent an EETA. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, management of ET with resection versus transposition, and need for subsequent myringotomy were collected. Analysis was performed with JMP software in standard fashion and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis performed with a p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients underwent EETA for various malignant and benign tumors. Twenty-seven patients required myringotomy, with tumors of the pterygopalatine fossa accounting for the most common location (n = 8). Malignant pathology had the highest myringotomy rate compared to benign tumors (48.9% vs. 10.9%, p < 0.001), as did receiving postoperative radiation (p < 0.001), ET resection (p < 0.001), and increasing CPK class. Multivariate analysis of these variables suggests that only ET resection significantly correlated with the need for myringotomy (LR 7.97, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: ET resection during EETA can lead to ET dysfunction and require myringotomy post-operatively, and patients should be counseled of this risk. Radiation treatment, malignant pathology, and CPK class, all reflecting situations where more extensive surgery was needed, were associated with the need for myringotomy on univariate analysis but did not reach significance with multivariate analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:1203-1207, 2024.

The Fate of Fat Graft in Extended Endoscopic Transtuberculum-Transplanum Approaches.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the long-term fate of autologous fat graft in skull base reconstruction after an extended endoscopic transtuberculum-transplanum approach. METHODS: Data from 98 consecutive patients undergoing a transtuberculum-transplanum approach and skull base reconstruction using the 3F technique between June 2017 and January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Fat graft volume was measured on postoperative day 1 computed tomography scan and early (≤15 days), 3-month, and 1-year magnetic resonance imaging scans. Fat graft volumes and resorption rate were calculated in patients with a complete radiological follow-up and correlated to demographic, pathological, and surgical features. RESULTS: Fat volumes and resorption rate were calculated in 55 patients. Mean volume of fat on postoperative day 1 computed tomography scan was 3.58 ± 1.89 cm3 and on early, 3-month, and 1-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans was 2.45 ± 1.57 cm3, 1.40 ± 0.76 cm3, and 0.92 ± 0.56 cm3, respectively. Resorption rate was 44% after 3 months and 67% after 1 year. Resorption rate did not significantly correlate with demographic, pathological, and surgical features. Cerebrospinal fluid leak requiring redo surgery occurred in 1 patient (1/98, 1.2%). There were 6 cases of visual worsening (6/98, 6.1%); no cases correlated to fat overpacking. No delayed complications at the donor site or at the grafting site were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous fat graft in skull base reconstruction is observed to shrink significantly over time, reaching 67% in 1 year. Its use is associated with excellent outcomes, making it a favored material for skull base reconstruction.

Extended endonasal endoscopic approach for anterior midline skull base lesions.

AIM: In recent years, extended endoscopic endonasal approach (EEEA) has been used as an alternative to transcranial approaches in the treatment of anterior midline skull base lesions. We retrospectively reviewed our cases operated using this technique and compared the results with current literature. METHOD: The data of 24 patients who were operated using EEEA in our department between 2010-2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The lesions were located in the midline between the posterior wall of the frontal sinus and tuberculum sella. Tumor locations, histopathological diagnoses, surgical techniques, outcomes and complications were documented. RESULTS: Eleven patients were female and 13 were male. Their ages ranged between 18-75 years (mean 40.5 years). Considering their locations; 12 were in the anterior fossa (50 %), 7 were in the tuberculum sella (29.1 %), and 5 were in both anatomic sites (20.8 %). Histopathologically, our series consisted of 15 meningiomas, 6 osteomas, 2 dermoid tumors and 1 metastatic carcinoma. We achieved gross total resection in 75 % of our patients. Ten patients presented with visual complaints and 7 of them improved postoperatively. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CSF) was observed in 3 patients and one of them developed meningitis and subsequently died of sepsis. CONCLUSION: Although the number of cases is low, EEEA seems like a safe, effective and well-tolerated treatment modality for anterior midline skull base lesions. But strict preventive measures should be taken for a possible CSF leak.

The extended endoscopic approach to perisellar and skull base lesions: is one nostril enough?

The extended endonasal endoscopic approach to the skull base is still under investigation. The main advantage of using this technique is to approach lesions in a minimally invasive manner resulting without brain retraction. Here, the authors present the results of extended endonasal endoscopic surgery via one nostril. All skull base procedures performed via an endonasal approach at the author's Department between January 2011 and May 2017 were analysed prospectively. Special attention was paid to complications, radicality, advantages and disadvantages of the endoscopic technique. Additionally, the application of various telescopes and the technique of dural closure were analysed. Sixty-two patients were operated on various pathologies of the skull base via an extended endonasal approach. Seven pathologies were resected via binostril technique. All other pathologies could be exposed by the mononostril technique. In 2 of 62 cases, the authors had to switch to binostril technique. MRI revealed radical gross total resection in 93% of all cases when intended. Overall complication rate was 16% (9/55) in the mononostril and 57% (4/7) in the binostril cohort. Seven patients in the mononostril cohort (13%) versus three patients in the binostril cohort (43%) complained of postoperative nasal congestion. This clinical report shows that many extended skull base lesions can be treated by a mononostril endonasal approach. In selected cases, this technique might represent an alternative to the binostril approach. Nevertheless, the binostril technique offers a better range of manipulation and exposure and should be preferred in difficult and very extended cases.

Extended endoscopic endonasal resection of craniopharyngioma using intraoperative visual evoked potential monitoring: technical note.

BACKGROUND: To avoid deterioration of visual function, extended endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for craniopharyngioma was performed with visual evoked potential (VEP) monitoring using light-emitting diodes (LEDs). METHODS: The position of the optic chiasm was carefully evaluated on the preoperative midsagittal magnetic resonance (MR) images. Intraoperatively, direct and sharp dissection of the tumor from the optic chiasm was performed under VEP monitoring with LEDs through extended endoscopic endonasal TSS. If the VEP finding changed and became unstable, the operator were informed and stopped the surgical manipulation for the optic chiasm to recover. After 5-10 min, recovery of VEP findings was checked and the procedure resumed. RESULTS: Extended endoscopic endonasal TSS with VEP monitoring was performed in consecutive 7 adult patients with newly diagnosed suprasellar craniopharyngiomas with maximum diameters of 25-41 mm (mean 33.7 mm). VEPs were stable throughout the surgery in 5 cases, but showed temporary instability and amplitude decrease in 2 cases, although the VEPs had recovered at the end of the surgery. Visual function, evaluated using visual impairment score, was improved after surgery in all patients. Gross total removal was achieved in 5 cases, and subtotal removal (90%) in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative VEP monitoring is the only way to test visual function during surgery, and may be important and helpful in extended endoscopic endonasal TSS, which requires direct dissection between the optic nerve and craniopharyngioma under the endoscope.

Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea from the lateral recess of sphenoid sinus: More to it than meets the eye.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus is rare when compared to leaks from other sites. The extended endonasal approach along with a transpterygoid extension provides adequate exposure for repair of these defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a series of seven patients who underwent eight transpterygoid approaches for repair of the CSF leak from the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus. We analyzed the patient characteristics, site of leaks, type of repair done, and presence of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in these individuals. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent eight transpterygoid approaches for CSF leaks from the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus. The leak was bilateral in one patient. The materials used for repair consisted of fat, fascia lata, free mucosal flap or a vascularised nasoseptal flap, and fibrin glue. Evidence of increased ICP was found in five of the seven patients. CSF diversion was needed in three of the seven patients (two ventriculoperitoneal shunt and one thecoperitoneal shunt). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach provides an excellent visualization of the skull-base defect and facilitates adequate instrument manipulation within the corridor, allowing successful repair of the defect with low rates of recurrence. Increased ICP can have a role in causing spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea from this location.

Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery for Craniopharyngiomas: A Series of 60 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of the management of 60 patients with craniopharyngioma with endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) and evaluate the feasibility and safety of EES for craniopharyngiomas. METHODS: The clinical data of 60 patients with craniopharyngioma who underwent EES between November 2014 and December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had vascularized nasoseptal flaps, and the most recent 4 patients had "in situ bone flaps" for better skull base reconstruction. Visual improvements, tumor resection extents, recurrence rates, endocrine functional changes, and surgical complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The resection rates were as follows: gross total, 68.3% (41 patients); near total (>95% of tumor removed), 15% (9 patients); subtotal (≥80% of tumor removed), 10% (6 patients); and partial (partial resection <80% of tumor removed), 6.7% (4 patients). Fifty-two patients presented with visual impairment; of these, 46 (88.5%) improved or returned to normal after surgery. Regarding the 32 patients with hypopituitarism before surgery, pituitary function was unchanged in 15 (46.8%), improved or normalized in 4 (12.5%), and deteriorated in 13 (40.6%). Eleven patients (18.3%) suffered from diabetes insipidus before treatment, and 27 more patients had this condition after surgery. Twenty-two patients had hyposmia postoperatively, and 17 patients experienced significant weight gain. Four patients had recent memory loss, and 2 of them had a temporary recent mental disorder. Three (5%) patients had cerebro-spinal fluid leakage after surgery. Three patients (5%) contracted meningitis and were cured with antibiotic treatment. One patient showed recurrence by magnetic resonance imaging re-examination, at the mean follow-up time of 22 months (range, 8-45 months; standard deviation, 11 months). CONCLUSIONS: EES can provide surgeons with excellent exposure and can achieve a high extent of removal of most craniopharyngiomas, even those with intraventricular extensions, In our view, vascularized pedicled septal flaps and in situ bony flaps were used in skull base reconstruction.

Optic Nerve Atrophy Due to Long-Standing Compression by Planum Sphenoidale Meningioma.

PURPOSE: In this study we report an uncommon endoscopic endonasal image of an atrophic optic nerve as seen after surgical removal of a suprasellar meningioma. The peculiarity of this case is the long-lasting underestimated ocular symptomatology of the patient who reported a 15-year history of impairment of vision on her left eye. METHODS: A 51-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of a 15-year history of impairment of vision on her left eye. After making serendipitously the diagnosis of a suprasellar mass, we performed endoscopic endonasal surgery. RESULTS: The tumor was reached from below and removed safely, without manipulation of the optic pathways. At the end of tumor removal, the impressive left optic nerve atrophy due to enduring local tumor compression was visualized. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, no endoscopic endonasal image with such features has been provided in the pertinent literature. Possibly, this contribution will help identify damaged optic nerves during endoscopic endonasal surgery.

Extended Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Craniopharyngioma Removal.

Objective Endoscopic transsphenoidal extended endoscopic approach (EEA) represents a valid alternative to microsurgery for craniopharyngiomas removal, especially for retrochiasmatic lesions without large parasellar extension. The present video illustrates the salient surgical steps of the EEA for craniopahryngioma removal. Patient A 52-year-old man presented with a bitemporal hemianopia and a bilateral decreased visual acuity. MRI showed a Kassam type III cystic craniopharyngioma with a solid component ( Fig. 1 , panels A and B). Surgical Procedure The head is rotated 10 degrees toward the surgeons. The nasal step is started through the left nostril with a middle turbinectomy. A nasoseptal flap is harvested and positioned in the left choana. The binostril approach allows a large sphenoidotomy to expose the key anatomic landmarks. The craniotomy boundaries are the planum sphenoidale superiorly, the median opticocarotid recesses, the internal carotid artery laterally and the clival recess inferiorly. After dural opening and superior intercavernous sinus coagulation, the tumor is entirely removed ( Fig. 2 , panels A and B). Skull base reconstruction is ensured by fascia lata grafting and nasoseptal flap positioning. Results Postoperative MRI showed the complete tumor resection ( Fig. 1 , panels C and D). At 3 months postoperatively, the bitemporal hemianopia regressed and the visual acuity improved. A novel left homonymous hemianopia developed secondary to optic tract manipulation. Conclusions The extended EEA is a valid surgical approach for craniopharyngioma resection. A comprehensive knowledge of the sellar and parasellar anatomy is mandatory for safe tumor removal with decreased morbidity and satisfactory oncologic results. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/NrCPPnVK2qA .

Is the chiasm-pituitary corridor size important for achieving gross-total resection during endonasal endoscopic resection of craniopharyngiomas?

OBJECTIVE Craniopharyngiomas arise from the pituitary stalk, and in adults they are generally located posterior to the chiasm extending up into the third ventricle. The extended endonasal approach (EEA) can provide an ideal corridor between the bottom of the optic chiasm and the top of the pituitary gland (chiasm-pituitary corridor [CPC]) for their removal. A narrow CPC in patients with a prefixed chiasm and a large tumor extending up and behind the chiasm has been considered a contraindication to EEA, with a high risk of visual deterioration and subtotal resection. METHODS A database of all patients treated in the authors' center (Weill Cornell Medical College, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital) between July 2004 and August 2016 was reviewed. Patients with craniopharyngiomas who underwent EEA with the goal of gross-total resection (GTR) were included in the study. Patients with postfixed chiasm or limited available preoperative imaging were excluded. Using preoperative contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sagittal midline MR images, the authors calculated the CPC as well as the distance from the chiasm to the top of the tumor (CTOT). From these numbers, they calculated a ratio of the CPC to the CTOT as a measure of difficulty in removing the tumors through the EEA and called this ratio the corridor index (CI). The relationship between the CI and the ability to achieve GTR and visual outcome were measured. RESULTS Thirty-four patients were included in the study. The mean CPC was 10.1 mm (range 5.2-19.1 mm). The mean CTOT was 12.8 mm (range 0-28.3 mm). The median CI was 0.8; the CI ranged from 0.4 to infinity (for tumors with a CTOT of 0). Thirty-two patients had GTR (94.1%) and 2 had subtotal resection. The CPC value had no relationship with our ability to achieve GTR and no effect on visual or endocrine outcome. CONCLUSIONS EEA for craniopharyngioma is generally considered the first-line surgical approach. Although a narrow corridor between the top of the pituitary gland and the bottom of the chiasm may seem to be a relative contraindication to surgery for larger tumors, the authors' data do not bear this out. EEA appears to be a successful technique for the majority of midline craniopharyngiomas.

Abordaje endoscópico endonasal puro de estesioneuroblastoma / Purely endonasal endoscopic resection of esthesioneuroblastoma

Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 56 años con diagnóstico de estesioneuroblastoma Kadish C/Hyams II tratado con resección quirúrgica mediante un abordaje endoscópico endonasal puro y radioterapia adyuvante. Describimos el caso y discutimos sus aspectos relevantes.

We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with diagnosis of esthesioneuroblastoma Kadish C/Hyams II treated with a purely endonasal endoscopic resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. We described the case and discuss its relevant aspects.

Applied anatomic study of the clivus region by extended endoscopic endonasal approach / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

OBJECTIVE To study the anatomic relationship of the divus region and provide the anatomical basis for the extended endoscopic endonasal approach to clivus region.METHODS 10 cadaveric heads were dissected using the surgical microscope and endoscope.RESULTS 1.With the extended endoscopic endonasal approach,we can expose the ventral side of brain stem from interpeduncal fossa to the foramen magnum and upper,middle,and lower neurovascular complexes.2.The clivus region,formed by the sphenoid body and the clival part of occipital bone,is situated between the dorsum sellae and the anterior margin of the foramen magnum.Occipital bone and the petrous part of the temporal bone were separated by the petroclival fissure.CONCLUSION 1.The extended endoscopic endonasal approach can be tailored to deal with the local lesions involving the clivus and adjacent posterior cranial fossa structures.2.Full andcomprehensive understanding of the anatomy around the clivus region can help surgeons to improve accuracy and safety of procedures in this region.

Comparative analysis between extend endoscopic endonasal and open transcranial resection for craniopharyngiomas / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy and complications of the extend endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) and open transcranial approach for resection of craniopharyngiomas. Methods The clinical data from 46 patients with craniopharyngiomas with extend EEA and 54 patients with transcranial route in our department was analyzed retrospectively. The gross total resection (GTR) rate,length of hospital stays and complications of the two groups were compared. Results The tumor diameters of were larger in the endoscopic group than in the transcranial group (3.5 ± 1.3cm vs. 3.0±0.8 cm, P<0.05). The endoscopic group had a greater GTR rate (67.4％vs. 46.3％, P<0.05)and improved visual outcome(84.2％ vs. 59.5％,P<0.05),but lower rate of hypopituitarism (56.5％ vs. 75.9％,P<0.05)and permanent diabetes insipidus (51.4％ vs.72.7％,P<0.05). On the contrast, the endoscopic group had a greater rate of cerebrospinal fluid leak(4.3％ vs. 0.0％,P>0.05)and longer hospital stays(17.0±3.6 d vs. 13.1±2.3 d,P<0.01). Hyposmia(34.8％)and hemorrhinia (2.2％)only happened in the endoscopic group. Conclusion Compared with transcranial route, the extend EEA for craniopharyngiomas is minimal invasion and effective, which can effectively improve the GTR rate and reduce the clinical symptoms.

Endoscopic Transnasal Approach for Urgent Decompression of the Craniocervical Junction in Acute Skull Base Osteomyelitis.

Ventral epidural abscess with osteomyelitis at the craniocervical junction is a rare occurrence that typically mandates spinal cord decompression via a transoral approach. However, given the potential for morbidity with transoral surgery, especially in the setting of immunosuppression, together with the advent of extended endonasal techniques, the transnasal approach could be attractive for selected patients. We present two cases of ventral epidural abscess and osteomyelitis at the craniocervical junction involving C1/C2 that were successfully treated via the endoscopic transnasal approach. Both were treated in staged procedures involving posterior cervical fusion followed by endoscopic transnasal resection of the ventral C1 arch and odontoid process for decompression of the ventral spinal cord and medulla. Dural repairs were successfully performed using multilayered, onlay techniques where required. Both patients tolerated surgery exceedingly well, had brief postoperative hospital stays, and recovered uneventfully to their neurologic baselines. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging confirmed complete decompression of the foramen magnum and upper C-spine. These cases illustrate the advantages and low morbidity of the endonasal endoscopic approach to the craniocervical junction in the setting of frank skull base infection and immunosuppression, representing to our knowledge a unique application of this technique to osteomyelitis and epidural abscess at the craniocervical junction.

Gasket seal closure for extended endonasal endoscopic skull base surgery: efficacy in a large case series.

OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term efficacy of the gasket seal, a method for watertight closure of the cranial base using autologous fascia lata held in place by a rigid buttress, in a large case series. METHODS: A prospectively acquired database of all endonasal endoscopic surgeries performed over a 5-year period at Weill Cornell Medical College starting in September 2005 was reviewed. RESULTS: The gasket seal was used in 46 consecutive patients. Mean age was 53 years (range 7-83 years). All patients had extensive intracranial disease with a significant intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Pathology included craniopharyngioma (39.1%), meningioma (23.9%), and pituitary adenoma (17.4%). After a mean follow-up of 28 months (range 3-63 months), two (4.3%) patients had a postoperative CSF leak. Excluding the patients with adenomas, the CSF leak rate was 5.2% (2 of 38 patients). One leak was controlled with reoperation, and the other was stopped with a lumbar drain (LD). The significance of pathology, type of approach, exposure of the ventricular system, use of fat graft, use of nasoseptal (NS) flap, and use of lumbar drain (LD) was examined, and none of these were significant predictors of postoperative CSF leak. CONCLUSIONS: Gasket seal closure is a reliable long-term effective method for achieving watertight closure of the cranial base. It can be used in association with an intracranial fat graft, NS flap, LD, and tissue sealants. In this series, none of these other factors were significant predictors of postoperative CSF leak.

Endoscopic transcranial and intracranial resection: case series and design of a perioperative management protocol.

Purely endoscopic resections of transcranial/intracranial pathology represent an exciting minimally invasive option for some patients. There is an abundance of literature on surgical techniques, though very little deals with perioperative management, which is critical for good outcomes. We present a detailed case review and a perioperative management protocol with specific reference to skull base and neuroanatomy. We performed a retrospective chart review and analysis of outcomes and complications by approach and design and prospective employment of a perioperative management protocol in a major tertiary care referral hospital. We included patients undergoing endoscopic skull base approaches by the two senior surgeons from September 2005 to April 2009, selecting of transcranial/intracranial cases for detailed review. Our main outcome measures included perioperative morbidity, mortality, and complications; degree of resection; recurrence rate; and survival. Fifteen patients met study criteria. No perioperative mortality occurred. There were two major and four minor complications. Mean follow-up was 15 months; 11/13 patients with malignancies had no evidence of disease. A perioperative management protocol was designed from these data and has resulted in decreased lumbar drainage and increased fluid/electrolyte monitoring. Endoscopic transcranial/intracranial anterior skull base surgery is both safe and effective when a complete understanding of the surgery and perioperative management is achieved.