scholarly journals Chordoma of the Craniocervical Junction: Endoscopic Endonasal Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (S 04) ◽  
pp. S372-S374
Author(s):  
Eduard H. Voormolen ◽  
Pierre Olivier Champagne ◽  
Sebastien Froelich

Objective This study was aimed to achieve gross-total removal of a chordoma of the craniocervical junction via an endonasal approach (Fig. 1). Design The present study is a case report. Setting The study was conducted at neurosurgical clinic of university hospital. Participant A 40-year-old male, with normal neurologic exam and no prior medical history, presented with a 2-year history of cervicalgia. On preoperative imaging, a midline lesion, with image characteristics of chordoma, was seen in the lower clivus and odontoid. It had limited lateral extension. Main Outcome Measures This study measures postoperative neurological deficits and postoperative tumor volume on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results A binostril approach to the upper nasopharynx was performed using endoscope at 30- and 45-degree angles. Subsequently, a heart-shaped mucosal flap was made and the clivus was drilled to expose the lesion (Fig. 2). After initial debulking, the ring of C1 was slightly drilled to reach the tumor in and around the odontoid. Postoperative MRI showed that a gross-total resection was achieved. The patient had no neurologic deficits postoperatively. Pathologic examination revealed a chordoma of the classical type. Conclusion An endoscopic endonasal approach, utilizing the heart-shaped flap and angled endoscopes and instruments, can be considered for resection of select cases of craniocervical junction chordoma with limited lateral expansion.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/rwVoZJRBIEo.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changchen Hu ◽  
Liyuan Zhou ◽  
Hongming Ji ◽  
Gangli Zhang ◽  
Shengli Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The hypoglossal canal (HGC) is the most important structural landmark for the endoscopic endonasal approach to access the lower clivus (LC). We explored the feasibility of using the tough fibrous tissue covering the supracondylar groove (SCG) as a useful landmark to identify the location of the HGC. Methods: Four cadaveric specimens were dissected and analyzed. The craniovertebral junction (CVJ) region was accessed utilizing 4-mm endoscope with either 0° or 30° lenses. CVJ exposure and the surgical corridor areas were measured. The relationship between the tough fibrous tissue covering the SCG and the HGC was analyzed.Results: Tough fibrous connective tissue was tightly attached the SCG and ran superomedially to inferolaterally. The angle between the horizontal plane and the long axis of the SCG was 30°. Separating the tough tissue inferolaterally, we could locate the external orifice (EO) of the HGC to further accurately isolate the hypoglossal nerve. Conclusion: The tough fibrous connective tissue covered the SCG to the upper part of the HGC EO. The course of the tough fibrous connective tissue was superomedial to inferolateral. Using the tough fibrous connective tissue covering the SCG as a landmark, it was possible to accurately locate the HGC EO via the endoscopic endonasal approach to access the LC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. V2
Author(s):  
Ezequiel Goldschmidt ◽  
Andrew S. Venteicher ◽  
Maximiliano Nuñez ◽  
Eric Wang ◽  
Carl Snyderman ◽  
...  

This 25-year-old woman presented after a second hemorrhage from a mesencephalic cavernous malformation. High-definition fiber tracking demonstrated lateral displacement of the corticospinal tracts, making a midline approach ideal. The lesion appeared to present to the third ventricle, but a transcallosal approach was abandoned due to the posterior third ventricular location and after FIESTA imaging revealed a superior and medial rim of normal parenchyma that would have to be transgressed to access the malformation. An endoscopic endonasal approach with interdural pituitary hemitransposition was performed. The interpeduncular cistern was accessed and the thalamoperforating arteries dissected to access the cavernous malformation that was completely removed in a piecemeal fashion. The patient’s preexisting internuclear ocular palsies and hemiparesis were slightly worsened after surgery as predicted by a drop in anterior tibialis motor evoked potentials. Postoperative MRI showed no infarct, and the hemiparesis was back to baseline at 1-month follow-up.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/e6203R9HHmk.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (04) ◽  
pp. 362-366
Author(s):  
Flavio Romero ◽  
Rodolfo Vieira ◽  
Bruno Ancheschi

AbstractForamen magnum (FM) tumors represent one of the most complex cases for the neurosurgeon, due to their location in a very anatomically complex region surrounded by the brainstem and the lower cranial nerves, by bony elements of the craniocervical junction, and by the vertebrobasilar vessels. Currently, the open approach of choice is a lateral extension of the posterior midline approach including far lateral, and extreme lateral routes. However, the transoraltranspharyngeal approach remains the treatment of choice in cases of diseases affecting the craniocervical junction. For very selective cases, the endoscopic endonasal route to this region is another option. We present a case of a ventral FM meningioma treated exclusively with the endoscopic endonasal approach.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 888-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Kooshkabadi ◽  
Phillip A. Choi ◽  
Maria Koutourousiou ◽  
Carl H. Snyderman ◽  
Eric W. Wang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for craniocervical lesions involving the lower clivus and occipital condyles carries an unclear risk of atlanto-occipital (AO) instability requiring arthrodesis. OBJECTIVE: Elucidate risk factors for AO instability following EEA for clival lesions. METHODS: We reviewed patients with clival tumors who underwent EEA at our institution between 2002 and 2012. Resection of the lower clivus, foramen magnum, AO joint, and occipital condyles were evaluated on fine-cut postoperative computed tomography. RESULTS: Two hundred twelve patients (mean age 47.9 years, 57.1% male) underwent transclival EEA for lower clival lesions. In addition to the lower clivus, resection involved the condyle in 14.2% of patients, the foramen magnum in 16.5%, and the AO joint in 1.4%. Quantification of condyle resection revealed complete resection in 3 cases, 75% resection in 8 cases, 50% resection in 6 cases, and 25% resection in 13 cases. Seven of these patients had EEA combined with an open, far-lateral approach. In total, 7 patients required arthrodesis following EEA (3.3%), 4 of them after a combined approach. All patients who underwent arthrodesis had primary bone tumors such as chordoma, chondrosarcoma, or osteosarcoma (P = .022). Degree of condyle resection was a significant factor predisposing to occipitocervical instability (P = .001 and P < .001 for 75% and 100% condyle resection, respectively). Use of a combined approach was significantly associated with arthrodesis (P < .001). CONCLUSION: EEA resection of the occipital condyles that results in greater than 75% condyle resection or EEA in combination with an open approach significantly increases the risk of AO instability and likely necessitates AO fixation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 79 (S 04) ◽  
pp. S311-S315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenzo Kosugi ◽  
Hiroyuki Ozawa ◽  
Kaoru Ogawa ◽  
Kazunari Yoshida ◽  
Masahiro Toda

Objective The main purpose of this article is to assess the effectiveness and safety of surgery via the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for cavernous sinus (CS) lesion in patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA). Design Retrospective study. Setting Keio University Hospital. Participants Thirty patients who underwent CS surgery via the EEA between 2009 and 2017 for Knosp grade 4 NFPA with pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging available for volumetric analysis. Main Outcome Measures Clinical presentation, extent of resection, and surgical complications. Results Gross total and near total resection of CS tumors was achieved in 12/30 (40%) cases of Knosp grade 4 NFPA. The average resection rate of CS lesions in these 30 patients was 73.5%; 77.3% in primary cases and 70.1% in recurrent cases that did not vary significantly. Preoperative visual disturbance and oculomotor nerve palsy improved in 12/19 (63.1%) and ⅗ (60%) cases, respectively. Complications associated with CS via the EEA were postoperative cerebrospinal leakage (1/30, 3.3%), meningitis (1/30, 3.3%), and transient cranial nerve palsy (2/30, 6.7%). These complications except a case of mild transient abducens nerve palsy occurred in recurrent cases with subdural lesions. Conclusions Although the optimal management of CS lesions in NFPA is controversial, debulking via the EEA is an effective and safe option that improves neurological symptoms and enables effective adjuvant radiotherapy. Recurrent cases with subdural invasion are technically challenging, even using the EEA, and special care is required to avoid complications.


Author(s):  
Paul A. Gardner ◽  
Matthew J. Tormenti ◽  
Amin B. Kassam ◽  
Richard M. Spiro ◽  
Daniel M. Prevedello ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Nasi ◽  
Mauro Dobran ◽  
Lucia di Somma ◽  
Alfredo Santinelli ◽  
Maurizio Iacoangeli

Metastases involving the clivus and craniocervical junction (CCJ) are extremely rare. Skull base involvement can result in cranial nerve palsies, while an extensive CCJ involvement can lead to spinal instability. We describe an unusual case of clival and CCJ metastases presenting with VI cranial nerve palsy and neck pain secondary to CCJ instability from metastatic bladder urothelial carcinoma. The patient was first treated with an endoscopic endonasal approach to the clivus for decompression of the VI cranial nerve and then with occipitocervical fixation and fusion to treat CCJ instability. At the 6-month follow-up, the patient experienced complete recovery of VI cranial nerve palsy. To the best of our knowledge, the simultaneous involvement of the clivus and the CCJ due to metastatic bladder carcinoma has never been reported in the literature. Another peculiarity of this case was the presence of both VI cranial nerve deficit and spinal instability. For this reason, the choice of treatment and timing were challenging. In fact, in case of no neurological deficit and spinal stability, palliative chemo- and radiotherapy are usually indicated. In our patient, the presence of progressive diplopia due to VI cranial nerve palsy required an emergent surgical decompression. In this scenario, the extended endoscopic endonasal approach was chosen as a minimally invasive approach to decompress the VI cranial nerve. Posterior occipitocervical stabilization is highly effective in avoiding patient’s neck pain and spinal instability, representing the approach of choice.


2018 ◽  
Vol 79 (S 04) ◽  
pp. S371-S377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunya Hanakita ◽  
Moujahed Labidi ◽  
Kentaro Watanabe ◽  
Sebastien Froelich

Objective While the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has gained widespread acceptance for the resection of clivus chordomas, conventional transcranial approaches still have a crucial role in craniocervical junction (CCJ) chordoma surgery. In repeat surgery, a carefully planned treatment strategy is needed. We present a surgical treatment plan combining an EEA and a far-lateral craniotomy with endoscopic assistance (EA) in the salvage surgery of a recurrent CCJ chordoma. Case Presentation A 37-year-old woman who had undergone partial resection of a chordoma extending from the mid-clivus to the CCJ. Technique A two-stage surgical intervention was planned. First, we opted for an EEA with the intention of removing only the extradural and medial compartments of the lesion. The rationale was to avoid intradural dissection of possibly adherent tissues from the previous procedures and to minimize the cerebrospinal fluid leak risk. One month after the first endonasal stage, a far lateral craniotomy was performed. After removal of the lateral mass and pedicle of C1, a large surgical corridor to the tumor was obtained. Tumor loculations disseminated in and around the CCJ and located in the areas blind to microscopic examination were then successfully resected with EA. An occipito-cervical fusion was then performed during the same procedure. Conclusion In addition to the exact location and morphology of the tumor, history of previous surgery was an important factor in devising a treatment strategy in this case of clivus chordoma. EA was also found to be instrumental in improving the reach of the far lateral approach.


2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (03) ◽  
pp. 306-309
Author(s):  
Alexandre Bossi Todeschini ◽  
Américo Rubens Leite dos Santos ◽  
Ricardo Landini Lutaif Dolci ◽  
José Viana Lima Junior ◽  
Nilza Maria Scalissi ◽  
...  

Introduction Surgery has been the standard treatment for Cushing's disease. Currently, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is the most widely used technique. However, among some endocrinologists and neurosurgeons used to the microscope assisted technique, there are still questions about the effectiveness and safety of transitioning to the EEA. We aim to show our initial experience with such transition. Method Retrospective review of medical records of patients, who underwent EEA in our center as a first treatment for Cushing's disease, and with a minimum 18 months of follow-up, from March 2004 to March 2014 Results Our cohort had 16 patients (14 females and 2 males), with a mean age of 33.7 years. The mean follow-up was 52.0 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified an adenoma in 93.8% of the patients (56.2% microadenomas and 37.5% macroadenomas). Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak was observed in two patients (12.5%). No new neurological deficits were present after surgery. The early remission and sustained remission rates after a single procedure were 87.5 and 68.75%, respectively. Weight reduction, improved control of blood pressure, and lower serum glucose levels were documented in 68.75, 60, and 55.5% of patients, respectively, after remission. Conclusion Despite the need for specialized training, equipment and team building by ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) and neurosurgery, the transition from microscope assisted pituitary surgery to endoscopic endonasal approach is possible and safe. The clinical outcomes, even in the early years, are similar to the previous microscope assisted treatment, and over time, with greater experience and knowledge, there is a tendency for improvement.


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