Search

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated diffusion tensor imaging tractography of cranial nerves (CNs). Spatial and angular resolution, however, is limited with this modality. A substantial improvement in image resolution can be achieved with high-angle diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and atlas-based fiber tracking to provide detailed trajectories of CNs., Objective: To use high-definition fiber tractography to identify CNs in healthy subjects and patients with brain tumors., Methods: Five neurologically healthy adults and 3 patients with brain tumors were scanned with diffusion spectrum imaging that allowed high-angular-resolution fiber tracking. In addition, a 488-subject diffusion magnetic resonance imaging template constructed from the Human Connectome Project data was used to conduct atlas space fiber tracking of CNs., Results: The cisternal portions of most CNs were tracked and visualized in each healthy subject and in atlas fiber tracking. The entire optic radiation, medial longitudinal fasciculus, spinal trigeminal nucleus/tract, petroclival portion of the abducens nerve, and intrabrainstem portion of the facial nerve from the root exit zone to the adjacent abducens nucleus were identified. This suggested that the high-angular-resolution fiber tracking was able to distinguish the facial nerve from the vestibulocochlear nerve complex. The tractography clearly visualized CNs displaced by brain tumors. These tractography findings were confirmed intraoperatively., Conclusion: Using high-angular-resolution fiber tracking and atlas-based fiber tracking, we were able to identify all CNs in unprecedented detail. This implies its potential in localization of CNs during surgical planning., Abbreviations: CN, cranial nerveDSI, diffusion spectrum imagingDTI, diffusion tensor imagingHCP, Human Connectome ProjectHDFT, high-definition fiber tractographyMLF, medial longitudinal fasciculusODF, orientation distribution functionROI, region of interest.

Recurrence and biochemical remission rates vary widely among different histological subtypes of pituitary adenoma. In this prospective study, we evaluated 107 consecutive primary pituitary adenomas operated on by a single neurosurgeon including 28 corticotroph, 27 gonadotroph, 24 somatotroph, 17 lactotroph, 5 null-cell and 6 plurihormonal. In each case, we performed direct endoscopic intraoperative inspection of the medial wall of the cavernous sinus, which was surgically removed when invasion was visualized. This was performed irrespective of tumor functional status. Medial wall resection was performed in 47% of pituitary adenomas, and 39/50 walls confirmed pathologic evidence of invasion, rendering a positive predictive value of intraoperative evaluation of medial wall invasion of 78%. We show for the first-time dramatic disparities in the frequency of medial wall invasion among pathological subtypes. Somatotroph tumors invaded the medial wall much more often than other adenoma subtypes, 81% intraoperatively and 69% histologically, followed by plurihormonal tumors (40%) and gonadotroph cell tumors (33%), both with intraoperative positive predictive value of 100%. The least likely to invade were corticotroph adenomas, at a rate of 32% intraoperatively and 21% histologically, and null-cell adenomas at 0%. Removal of the cavernous sinus medial wall was not associated with permanent cranial nerve morbidity nor carotid artery injury, although 4 patients (all Knosp 3-4) experienced transient diplopia. Medial wall resection in acromegaly resulted in the highest potential for biochemical remission ever reported, with an average postoperative day 1 GH levels of 0.96 ug/L and surgical remission rates of 92% based on normalization of IGF-1 levels after surgery (mean = 15.56 months; range 3–30 months). Our findings suggest that tumor invasion of the medial wall of the cavernous sinus may explain the relatively low biochemical remission rates currently seen for acromegaly and illustrate the relevance of advanced intradural surgical approaches for successful and durable outcomes in endonasal pituitary surgery for functional adenomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orbit is a paired, transversely oval, and cone-shaped osseous cavity bounded and formed by the anterior and middle cranial base as well as the viscerocranium. Its main contents are the anterior part of the visual system, globe and optic nerve, and the associated neural, vascular, muscular, glandular, and ligamentous structures required for oculomotion, lacrimation, accommodation, and sensation. A complex stream of afferent and efferent information passes through the orbit, which necessitates a direct communication with the anterior and middle cranial fossae, the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae, as well as the aerated adjacent frontal, sphenoidal, and maxillary sinuses and the nasal cavity. This article provides a detailed illustration and description of the microsurgical anatomy of the orbit, with a focus on the intrinsically complex spatial relationships around the annular tendon and the superior orbital fissure, the transition from cavernous sinus to the orbital apex. Sparse reference will be made to surgical approaches, their indications or limitations, since they are addressed elsewhere in this special issue. Instead, an attempt has been made to highlight anatomical structures and elucidate concepts most relevant to safe and effective transcranial, transfacial, transorbital, or transnasal surgery of orbital, periorbital, and skull base pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Transpetrosal approaches for the treatment of petroclival meningiomas are often associated with substantial morbidity and long recovery. With the goal of early clinical improvement, we have used less invasive surgical approaches for petroclival meningiomas. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 32 patients with petroclival meningiomas. Eleven patients (34.4%) were managed with lateral approaches (retrosigmoid or far lateral approach), 17 (53.1%) with anterior midline approaches (endoscopic endonasal approach [EEA]), and 4 (12.5%) with a combination. Results The average Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) at presentation was 73.8. The average postoperative KPS improved to 87.9 ( P < 0.001) during short-term follow-up of 14 months (range, 1–42) and was significantly higher in primary tumors ( P = 0.013), tumors <4 cm ( P = 0.039), and tumors without vascular encasement ( P = 0.002) but remained significant regardless of age, tumor size, or vascular encasement. The greatest benefit occurred with primary tumors, in young patients and in those who underwent nontotal resection ( P < 0.001). EEA had a significantly greater potential for improved KPS ( P = 0.002). Gross ( n = 6) or near total ( n = 9) resection was achieved in 15 of 32 cases (47%). Complications included new cranial nerve palsies affecting mainly the abducens nerve (18.7%). New lower cranial nerve palsies occurred in only 1 case (3.1%). Other complications included postoperative hydrocephalus (15.6%) and cerebrospinal fluid leak (28.1%). One patient died in the perioperative period (3.1%). Conclusions In the short-term, less aggressive cranial base approaches, including retrosigmoid exposures and the recently introduced EEA, are effective alternatives to transpetrosal approaches for debulking petroclival meningiomas with significant early clinical improvement and limited major surgical complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cavernous sinus (CS) tumors often are considered inoperable. We present our experience with endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) and compare the outcomes for different tumor. Methods EES (medial or lateral approach) was used in 234 patients with CS tumors. The cohort included 175 (75%) pituitary adenomas and 59 (25%) nonadenomatous lesions. Results Presenting symptoms were significantly different between the 2 groups, with cranial neuropathies occurring mainly in nonadenomas ( P < 0.0001). The overall gross total tumor resection rate from the CS was 37.3% (37.1% in adenomas, 38.1% in non-adenomas). In total, preexisting cranial nerve (CN) dysfunction improved in 56.4% of the patients. After treatment completion (including radiation of residual tumor), 83.3% of acromegalic patients, 50% of prolactinomas and 33.3% of Cushing's disease, were in remission. Visual loss improved in 86.8% of adenomas and in 70.8% of nonadenomas. Intracavernous CN palsies improved in 77.3% of adenomas and 42.4% of nonadenomas. New permanent CN palsies occurred in 7 nonadenomas, which is significantly greater than in adenomas ( P = 0.007). The leak rate of cerebrospinal fluid was 6.3% for adenomas and 11.9% for nonadenomas. Four patients suffered an internal carotid artery injury with no neurologic sequelae in 3 cases and 1 death (0.4%). Conclusions EES provides an easily accessible midline corridor to the CS with equivalent or superior results to transcranial approaches in the management of select tumors. Symptomatology due to CS invasion is more likely to improve in pituitary adenomas and the rate of surgical complications is greater in nonadenomas. Using a team approach, the overall mortality due to vascular injury is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]