The Subtemporal Approach to Retroinfundibular Craniopharyngiomas: A New Look at an Old Approach

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricky H Wong ◽  
Kenneth De Los Reyes ◽  
Puya Alikhani ◽  
Sananthan Sivakanthan ◽  
Jamie van Gompel ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Retrochiasmatic, retroinfundibular craniopharyngiomas are surgically challenging tumors. Anterolateral, posterolateral, and endoscopic endonasal approaches represent the most commonly used techniques to access these tumors, but all require an extensive exposure time, and each has its own risks and limitations. The subtemporal approach is a well-known neurosurgical approach that is rarely described for craniopharyngiomas. OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of a subtemporal approach for craniopharyngiomas. METHODS Five patients with retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas where the majority of the tumor extended behind the dorsal clival line underwent a subtemporal approach for resection. Extent of resection, degree of temporal lobe injury, visual and endocrine outcomes, and time to recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS Average tumor volume was 6.4 cm3. Near-total resection was achieved in 80% (4/5) and subtotal in 20% (1/5). All patients had stable or improved vision. There was 1 new permanent endocrine deficiency. Minimal temporal lobe edema was observed in 80% (4/5) of patients. Three patients required postoperative radiation. CONCLUSION The subtemporal approach represents a feasible approach for retrochiasmatic, retroinfundibular craniopharyngiomas when gross total resection is not mandatory. It provides rapid access to the tumor and a caudal-to-cranial visualization that promotes minimal manipulation of critical neurovascular structures, particularly the optic apparatus.

2017 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 418-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivashanmugam Dhandapani ◽  
Harminder Singh ◽  
Hazem M. Negm ◽  
Salomon Cohen ◽  
Mark M. Souweidane ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Craniopharyngiomas can be difficult to remove completely based on their intimate relationship with surrounding visual and endocrine structures. Reoperations are not uncommon but have been associated with higher rates of complications and lower extents of resection. So radiation is often offered as an alternative to reoperation. The endonasal endoscopic transsphenoidal approach has been used in recent years for craniopharyngiomas previously removed with craniotomy. The impact of this approach on reoperations has not been widely investigated. METHODS The authors reviewed a prospectively acquired database of endonasal endoscopic resections of craniopharyngiomas over 11 years at Weill Cornell Medical College, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, performed by the senior authors. Reoperations were separated from first operations. Pre- and postoperative visual and endocrine function, tumor size, body mass index (BMI), quality of life (QOL), extent of resection (EOR), impact of prior radiation, and complications were compared between groups. EOR was divided into gross-total resection (GTR, 100%), near-total resection (NTR, > 95%), and subtotal resection (STR, < 95%). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS Of the total 57 endonasal surgical procedures, 22 (39%) were reoperations. First-time operations and reoperations did not differ in tumor volume, radiological configuration, or patients' BMI. Hypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus (DI) were more common before reoperations (82% and 55%, respectively) compared with first operations (60% and 8.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). For the 46 patients in whom GTR was intended, rates of GTR and GTR+NTR were not significantly different between first operations (90% and 97%, respectively) and reoperations (80% and 100%, respectively). For reoperations, prior radiation and larger tumor volume had lower rates of GTR. Vision improved equally in first operations (80%) compared with reoperations (73%). New anterior pituitary deficits were more common in first operations compared with reoperations (51% vs 23%, respectively; p = 0.08), while new DI was more common in reoperations compared with first-time operations (80% vs 47%, respectively; p = 0.08). Nonendocrine complications occurred in 2 (3.6%) first-time operations and no reoperations. Tumor regrowth occurred in 6 patients (11%) over a median follow-up of 46 months and was not different between first versus reoperations, but was associated with STR (33%) compared with GTR+NTR (4%; p = 0.02) and with not receiving radiation after STR (67% vs 22%; p = 0.08). The overall BMI increased significantly from 28.7 to 34.8 kg/m2 over 10 years. Six months after surgery, there was a significant improvement in QOL, which was similar between first-time operations and reoperations, and negatively correlated with STR. CONCLUSIONS Endonasal endoscopic transsphenoidal reoperation results in similar EOR, visual outcome, and improvement in QOL as first-time operations, with no significant increase in complications. EOR is more impacted by tumor volume and prior radiation. Reoperations should be offered to patients with recurrent craniopharyngiomas and may be preferable to radiation in patients in whom GTR or NTR can be achieved.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii15-ii15
Author(s):  
Ishaan Tewarie ◽  
Alexander Hulsbergen ◽  
Manish Paranjpe ◽  
Ray Jhun ◽  
Arun Job ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Local recurrence is a common occurrence after resection or radiotherapy for brain metastasis (BM). Very little is known about the benefit of (re-)craniotomy in this scenario: does resecting the initial local recurrence (LR1) invariably lead to a second local recurrence (LR2)? This study aimed to analyze occurrence and predictors of LR2 in BM patients undergoing craniotomy for LR1. METHODS Patients were identified from a departmental database at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA. Multivariable logistic regression and cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of binary occurrence of LR2 (yes/no) and time-to-LR2, respectively. Based on predictors, subgroup-specific prevalence of LR2 was explored. RESULTS A total of 188 patients were identified. The median age was 59.5 years and 117 patients (62.2%) were female. Treatment-wise, 64 patients (34.0%) underwent subtotal resection (STR) and 66 (35.1%) received adjuvant radiation. Eighty-one (43.1%) patients experienced LR2 at a median of 7 months after craniotomy. Occurrence of LR2 was significantly associated with STR (OR 6.88, p = 0.0008), surgery as treatment for LR1 (OR = 0.26, p = 0.03), larger tumor volume (OR = 1.14 per 1000 mm3, p = 0.01), and frontal location (OR = 5.23, p = 0.02). Shorter time-to-LR2 was associated with STR (HR = 5.31, p = 0.01) and adjuvant radiation (HR = 2.22, p = 0.03), while temporal (HR = 0.16, p = 0.03) and parietal (0.13, p = 0.03) location were associated with longer time-to-LR2. When stratifying by extent of resection, prevalence of LR2 was 32.8% after gross total resection and 57.1% after STR. CONCLUSION In this population, LR2 occurred in 43.1% of patients. STR was the strongest risk factor for LR2, while tumor size, location, surgical treatment of LR1, and receipt of adjuvant radiation may also influence subsequent recurrence.


2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 1163-1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar G. Ordóñez-Rubiano ◽  
Jonathan A. Forbes ◽  
Peter F. Morgenstern ◽  
Leopold Arko ◽  
Georgiana A. Dobri ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEGross-total resection (GTR) of craniopharyngiomas (CPs) is potentially curative and is often the goal of surgery, but endocrinopathy generally results if the stalk is sacrificed. In some cases, GTR can be attempted while still preserving the stalk; however, stalk manipulation or devascularization may cause endocrinopathy and this strategy risks leaving behind small tumor remnants that can recur.METHODSA retrospective review of a prospective cohort of patients who underwent initial resection of CP using the endoscopic endonasal approach over a period of 12 years at Weill Cornell Medical College, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, was performed. Postresection integrity of the stalk was retrospectively assessed using operative notes, videos, and postoperative MRI. Tumors were classified based on location into type I (sellar), type II (sellar-suprasellar), and type III (purely suprasellar). Pre- and postoperative endocrine function, tumor location, body mass index, rate of GTR, radiation therapy, and complications were reviewed.RESULTSA total of 54 patients who had undergone endoscopic endonasal procedures for first-time resection of CP were identified. The stalk was preserved in 33 (61%) and sacrificed in 21 (39%) patients. GTR was achieved in 24 patients (73%) with stalk preservation and 21 patients (100%) with stalk sacrifice (p = 0.007). Stalk-preservation surgery achieved GTR and maintained completely normal pituitary function in only 4 (12%) of 33 patients. Permanent postoperative diabetes insipidus was present in 16 patients (49%) with stalk preservation and in 20 patients (95%) following stalk sacrifice (p = 0.002). In the stalk-preservation group, rates of progression and radiation were higher with intentional subtotal resection or near-total resection compared to GTR (67% vs 0%, p < 0.001, and 100% vs 12.5%, p < 0.001, respectively). However, for the subgroup of patients in whom GTR was achieved, stalk preservation did not lead to significantly higher rates of recurrence (12.5%) compared with those in whom it was sacrificed (5%, p = 0.61), and stalk preservation prevented anterior pituitary insufficiency in 33% and diabetes insipidus in 50%.CONCLUSIONSWhile the decision to preserve the stalk reduces the rate of postoperative endocrinopathy by roughly 50%, nevertheless significant dysfunction of the anterior and posterior pituitary often ensues. The decision to preserve the stalk does not guarantee preserved endocrine function and comes with a higher risk of progression and need for adjuvant therapy. Nevertheless, to reduce postoperative endocrinopathy attempts should be made to preserve the stalk if GTR can be achieved.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. E8 ◽  
Author(s):  
James K. Liu ◽  
Nicole A. Silva ◽  
Ilesha A. Sevak ◽  
Jean Anderson Eloy

OBJECTIVEThere has been much debate regarding the optimal surgical approach for resecting olfactory groove meningiomas (OGMs). In this paper, the authors analyzed the factors involved in approach selection and reviewed the surgical outcomes in a series of OGMs.METHODSA retrospective review of 28 consecutive OGMs from a prospective database was conducted. Each tumor was treated via one of 3 approaches: transbasal approach (n = 15), pure endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA; n = 5), and combined (endoscope-assisted) transbasal-EEA (n = 8).RESULTSThe mean tumor volume was greatest in the transbasal (92.02 cm3) and combined (101.15 cm3) groups. Both groups had significant lateral dural extension over the orbits (transbasal 73.3%, p < 0.001; combined 100%), while the transbasal group had the most cerebral edema (73.3%, p < 0.001) and vascular involvement (66.7%, p < 0.001), and the least presence of a cortical cuff (33.3%, p = 0.019). All tumors in the combined group were recurrent tumors that invaded into the sinonasal cavity. The purely EEA group had the smallest mean tumor volume (33.33 cm3), all with a cortical cuff and no lateral dural extension. Gross-total resection was achieved in 80% of transbasal, 100% of EEA, and 62.5% of combined cases. Near-total resection (> 95%) was achieved in 20% of transbasal and 37.5% of combined cases, all due to tumor adherence to the critical neurovascular structures. The rate of CSF leakage was 0% in the transbasal and combined groups, and there was 1 leak in the EEA group (20%), resulting in an overall CSF leakage rate of 3.6%. Olfaction was preserved in 66.7% in the transbasal group. There was no significant difference in length of stay or 30-day readmission rate between the 3 groups. The mean modified Rankin Scale score was 0.79 after the transbasal approach, 2.0 after EEA, and 2.4 after the combined approach (p = 0.0604). The mean follow-up was 14.5 months (range 1–76 months).CONCLUSIONSThe transbasal approach provided the best clinical outcomes with the lowest rate of complications for large tumors (> 40 mm) and for smaller tumors (< 40 mm) with intact olfaction. The role of EEA appears to be limited to smaller, appropriately selected tumors in which olfaction is already absent. EEA also plays an important adjunctive role when combined with the transbasal approach for recurrent OGMs invading the sinonasal cavity. Careful patient selection using an individualized, tailored strategy is important to optimize surgical outcomes.


2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. E7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osaama H. Khan ◽  
Vijay K. Anand ◽  
Theodore H. Schwartz ◽  

Object This paper describes a consecutive series of skull base meningiomas resected using an endoscopic endonasal approach through various corridors at a single institution over 7 years. The impact of case selection and experience, the presence of a cortical cuff between the tumor and surrounding vessels, and brain edema on morbidity and rates of gross-total resection (GTR) were examined. Methods A retrospective review of a series of 46 skull base meningiomas from a prospective database was conducted. The series of cases were divided by location: olfactory groove (n = 15), tuberculum and planum (n = 20), sellar/cavernous (n = 9) and petroclival (n = 2). Gross-total resection was never intended in the sellar/cavernous tumors, which generally invaded the cavernous sinus. Clinical charts, volumetric imaging, and pathology were reviewed to assess the extent of resection and complications. Cases were divided based on a time point in which surgical technique and case selection improved into Group 1 (surgery prior to June 2008; n = 21) and Group 2 (surgery after June 2008; n = 25) and into those with and without a cortical cuff and with and without brain edema. Results Improved case selection had the greatest impact on extent of resection. For the entire cohort, rates of GTR went from 38% to 76% (p = 0.02), and for cases in which GTR was the intent, the rates went from 63% to 84% (not significant), which was mostly driven by the planum and tuberculum meningiomas, which went from 75% to 91.7 % (nonsignificant difference). The presence of a cortical cuff and brain edema had no impact on outcomes. There were 3 CSF leaks (6.5%) but all were in Group 1. Hence, CSF leak improved from 14.2% to 0% with surgical experience. Lessons learned for optimal case selection are discussed. Conclusions Surgical outcome for endonasal endoscopic resection of skull base meningiomas depends mostly on careful case selection and surgical experience. Imaging criteria such as the presence of a cortical cuff or brain edema are less important.


2014 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Juraschka ◽  
Osaama H. Khan ◽  
Bruno L. Godoy ◽  
Eric Monsalves ◽  
Alexandra Kilian ◽  
...  

Object While the use of endoscopic approaches has become increasingly accepted in the resection of pituitary adenomas, limited evidence exists regarding the success of this technique for patients with large and giant pituitary adenomas. This study reviews the outcomes of a large cohort of patients with large and giant pituitary adenomas who underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery at the authors' institution and focuses on identifying factors that can predict extent of resection and hence aid in developing guidelines and indications for the use of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery versus open craniotomy approaches to large and giant pituitary adenomas. Methods The authors reviewed 487 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal resection of sellar masses. From this group, 73 consecutive patients with large and giant pituitary adenomas (defined as maximum diameter ≥ 3 cm and tumor volume ≥ 10 cm3) who underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery between January 1, 2006, and June 6, 2012, were included in the study. Clinical presentation, radiological studies, laboratory investigations, tumor pathology data, clinical outcomes, extent of resection measured by volumetric analysis, and complications were analyzed. Results The mean preoperative tumor diameter in this series was 4.1 cm and the volume was 18 cm3. The average resection rate was 82.9%, corresponding with a mean residual volume of 3 cm3. Gross-total resection was achieved in 16 patients (24%), near-total in 11 (17%), subtotal in 24 (36%), and partial in 15 (23%). Seventy-three percent of patients experienced improvement in visual acuity, while 24% were unchanged. Visual fields were improved in 61.8% and unchanged in 5.5%. Overall, 27 patients (37%) experienced a total of 32 complications. The most common complications were sinusitis (14%) and CSF leak (10%). Six patients underwent subsequent radiation therapy because of aggressive tumor histopathology. No deaths occurred in this cohort of patients. Statistically significant predictors of extent of resection included highest Knosp grade (p = 0.001), preoperative tumor volume (p = 0.025), preoperative maximum tumor diameter (p = 0.002), hemorrhagic component (p = 0.027), posterior extension (p = 0.001), and sphenoid sinus invasion (p = 0.005). Conclusions Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery is an effective treatment method for patients with large and giant pituitary adenomas, which results in high (> 80%) rates of resection and improvement in visual function. It is not associated with high rates of major complications and is safe when performed by experienced surgeons. The preoperative Knosp grade, tumor volume, tumor diameter, hemorrhagic components on MRI, posterior extension, and sphenoid sinus invasion may allow a prediction of extent of resection and in these patients a staged operation may be required to maximize extent of resection.


Pituitary ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor E. Staartjes ◽  
Alex Togni-Pogliorini ◽  
Vittorio Stumpo ◽  
Carlo Serra ◽  
Luca Regli

Abstract Background Residual tumor tissue after pituitary adenoma surgery, is linked with additional morbidity and mortality. Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (ioMRI) could improve resection. We aim to assess the improvement in gross total resection (GTR), extent of resection (EOR), and residual tumor volume (RV) achieved using ioMRI. Methods A systematic review was carried out on PubMed/MEDLINE to identify any studies reporting intra- and postoperative (1) GTR, (2) EOR, or (3) RV in patients who underwent resection of pituitary adenomas with ioMRI. Random effects meta-analysis of the rate of improvement after ioMRI for these three surgical outcomes was intended. Results Among 34 included studies (2130 patients), the proportion of patients with conversion to GTR (∆GTR) after ioMRI was 0.19 (95% CI 0.15–0.23). Mean ∆EOR was + 9.07% after ioMRI. Mean ∆RV was 0.784 cm3. For endoscopically treated patients, ∆GTR was 0.17 (95% CI 0.09–0.25), while microscopic ∆GTR was 0.19 (95% CI 0.15–0.23). Low-field ioMRI studies demonstrated a ∆GTR of 0.19 (95% CI 0.11–0.28), while high-field and ultra-high-field ioMRI demonstrated a ∆GTR of 0.19 (95% CI 0.15–0.24) and 0.20 (95% CI 0.13–0.28), respectively. Conclusions Our meta-analysis demonstrates that around one fifth of patients undergoing pituitary adenoma resection convert from non-GTR to GTR after the use of ioMRI. EOR and RV can also be improved to a certain extent using ioMRI. Endoscopic versus microscopic technique or field strength does not appear to alter the impact of ioMRI. Statistical heterogeneity was high, indicating that the improvement in surgical results due to ioMRI varies considerably by center.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. E66-E66
Author(s):  
Miguel Marigil ◽  
Joao Paulo Almeida ◽  
Claire Karekezi ◽  
John R de Almeida ◽  
Fred Gentili

Abstract The expanded endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been growing as a surgical alternative for the treatment of clival chordomas because of their frequent midline location and bone erosion. The endoscopic transclival approach provides with a safer and more direct anatomic route for tumors located predominantly in the midline contributing to minimize postoperative comorbidities. In this video, we demonstrate the step-by-step technique for resection of such challenging clival pathology.  This is an operative video of an extended endoscopic resection of a clival chordoma with stepwise description of the surgical technique.  We present the case of a 49-yr-old man in whom, incidentally in the context of low testosterone level, a clival lesion with purely midline location with intradural extension into the ventral brainstem and occupation of the left cerebellopontine angle was discovered. The patient was submitted to an expanded endoscopic transclival approach and a macroscopic gross total resection was successfully achieved. The final pathology was compatible with a conventional chordoma. This video details the surgical anatomy of the clival region to facilitate the identification of surgical landmarks and anatomic boundaries with the goal of avoiding injury to the neurovascular structures involved in this approach.  Extended endoscopic transclival surgery is a useful and safer option for the management of midline chordomas because it provides with a dissection corridor free of major neurovascular structures. Endoscopic techniques are associated with good outcomes in terms of macroscopic gross total resection and low surgical risks in these selected tumors.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Savas Ceylan ◽  
Harun Emre Sen ◽  
Bedrettin Ozsoy ◽  
Ecem Cemre Ceylan ◽  
Anil Ergen ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Giant pituitary adenoma is considered a challenging pathology for surgery owing to its complications and low resection rate. In this study, the authors present their experience of using the endoscopic endonasal approach to treat patients with giant pituitary adenoma, and they aimed to develop a classification system for prediction of extent of resection. METHODS The institutional medical records of patients diagnosed with giant pituitary adenoma who underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery between August 1997 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical and clinical outcomes were evaluated in detail. The effects of tumor characteristics on extent of resection were analyzed. The findings were used to develop two classification systems that could preoperatively predict extent of resection. Morphological score was based on tumor characteristics, and landmark-based classification was defined according to surgical zones based on neurovascular landmarks. The effects of change in surgical strategy, which aimed to maximize tumor resection and capsule dissection, on rates of resection and complications were evaluated before and after 2017. RESULTS This study included 205 patients, with a mean patient age of 46.95 years and mean preoperative tumor diameter of 46.56 mm. Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 35.12% of patients, near-total resection (NTR) in 39.51%, and subtotal resection (STR) in 25.36%. Extent of resection differed significantly between the grades and zones of the classification systems (p < 0.001 for both). Among patients with grade 3 tumor, 75.75% of patients achieved STR, 21.21% achieved NTR, and 3.03% achieved GTR. Among patients with zone 3 tumor, 65.75% achieved STR, 32.87% achieved NTR, and 1.36% achieved GTR. Both grade 3 and zone 3 indicated limited extent of resection. The mean (range) follow-up duration was 50.16 (9–247) months. Postoperative recovery of at least one hormone axis was seen in 15.24% of patients with pituitary deficiency, and development of new hormonal deficiency was observed in 22.43% of patients. Complications included permanent diabetes insipidus (7.80%), cerebrospinal fluid leakage (3.90%), postoperative apoplexy (3.90%), meningitis (3.41%), and epistaxis (3.41%). The surgical mortality rate was 1.46%. Among 85 patients treated before 2017, 27.05% of patients achieved GTR, 37.64% achieved NTR, and 35.29% achieved STR; among 120 patients treated after 2017, 40.83% achieved GTR, 40.83% achieved NTR, and 18.33% achieved STR. Seven patients in the pre-2017 cohort had postoperative apoplexy versus only 1 patient in the post-2017 cohort. There were no statistically significant differences between the two periods in terms of the incidence rates of other complications. CONCLUSIONS Capsule dissection and GTR are valuable for preventing serious complications and reducing recurrence of giant adenoma. Treatment of giant pituitary adenoma may be better managed with the help of a classification system that provides information about extent of resection that can be achieved with an endoscopic approach.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii442-iii442
Author(s):  
Hiroki Morisako ◽  
Takeo Goto ◽  
Hiroki Ohata ◽  
Hiroaki Sakamoto ◽  
Kenji Ohata

Abstract OBJECTIVE In recent years, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been increasingly used for pediatric craniopharyngiomas. We here present our experience and the outcomes of the EEA resection of pediatric craniopharyngiomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between April 2014 and December 2019, 16 cases of pediatric craniopharyngiomas were operated at the Osaka city university (OCU) hospital. Eight patients were diagnosed with primary craniopharyngiomas while 8 had a recurrent tumor. There were 5 males and 11 females, with a mean age of 10.7 years (3–17 years). EEA was selected in all patients and a case of large muti-lobulated tumor was resected by combination of microscopic transcranial approach. RESULTS Gross total resection was achieved in 14 patients and near total resection in other 2. Post-op CSF leak occurred in 3 patients, which was treated with re-exploration. Pituitary stalk was preserved intraoperatively in 4 cases, and 15 patients developed diabetes insipidus and anterior hormonal replacement therapy was required in 15 patients at last follow-up. Visual improvement was noted in 4 patients while vision remained unchanged in the rest. Neuropsychological function status was preserved in all patients, and there was no new-onset obesity postoperatively. The mean follow-up duration was 35.1 months (2 – 69 months) and 4 of 8 recurrent cases had re-recurrence during this period, however there was no recurrent in 8 primary cases. CONCLUSIONS EEA should be the surgical modality of choice for treating pediatric craniopharyngiomas. It results in better visual and cognitive outcomes with a significantly increased extent of resection.


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