Evaluation of the 3-Dimensional Endoscope in Transsphenoidal Surgery

Abstract BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3-D) endoscopy is a recent addition to augment the transsphenoidal surgical approach for anterior skull-base and parasellar lesions. We describe our experience implementing this technology into regular surgical practice. OBJECTIVE: Retrospective review of clinical factors and outcomes. METHODS: All patients were analyzed who had endoscopic endonasal parasellar operations since the introduction of the 3-D endoscope to our practice. Over an 18-month period, 160 operations were performed using solely endoscopic techniques. Sixty-five of these were with the Visionsense VSII 3-D endoscope and 95 utilized 2-dimensional (2-D) high-definition (HD) Storz endoscopes. Intraoperative and postoperative findings were analyzed in a retrospective fashion. RESULTS: Comparing both groups, there was no significant difference in total or surgical operating room times comparing the 2-D HD and 3-D endoscopes (239 minutes vs 229 minutes, P = .47). Within disease-specific comparison, pituitary adenoma resection was significantly shorter utilizing the 3-D endoscope (surgical time 174 minutes vs 147 minutes, P = .03). These findings were independent of resident or fellow experience. There was no significant difference in the rate of complication, reoperation, tumor resection, or intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Subjectively, the 3-D endoscope offered increased agility with 3-D techniques such as exposing the sphenoid rostrum, drilling sphenoidal septations, and identifying bony landmarks and suprasellar structures. CONCLUSION: The 3-D endoscope is a useful alternative to the 2-D HD endoscope for transnasal anterior skull-base surgery. Preliminary results suggest it is more efficient surgically and has a shorter learning curve. As 3-D technology and resolution improve, it should serve to be an invaluable tool for neuroendoscopy.

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Combined endoscopy-assisted cranionasal approach for resection of infantile myofibromatosis of the ethmoid and anterior skull base

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/ped/2008/2/7/058 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 58-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Ercole Galassi ◽

Ernesto Pasquini ◽

Giorgio Frank ◽

Gianluca Marucci

Keyword(s):

Skull Base ◽

Skull Base Surgery ◽

Radical Resection ◽

Permanent Tooth ◽

Anterior Skull Base ◽

Facial Growth ◽

Endoscopic Endonasal ◽

Skull Base Reconstruction ◽

Endoscopic Techniques ◽

Tooth Roots

The advent and widespread development of endonasal endoscopic techniques have recently expanded the frontiers of skull base surgery. The reduced invasiveness, wider and adjustable visualization of the operative field, and lack of postoperative cosmetic defects are well-known advantages of the endonasal endoscopic approaches compared with traditional surgical exposures both in adults and in children. The need to avoid disruption of facial growth centers and permanent tooth roots represents a further special consideration in favor of these endoscopic techniques in children. The authors report on a case of solitary myofibroma involving the ethmoid, mesial orbits, and anterior skull base with intracranial intradural expansion in a 17-month-old girl. The occurrence of such proliferative disease along the skull base is exceedingly rare. The tumor was successfully excised via an endoscopy-assisted cranionasal approach in which a transcranial microsurgical exposure was combined with endonasal endoscopic access to ensure a radical resection and optimize skull base reconstruction. To the authors' knowledge, the patient in this case is the youngest reported patient in the literature who has undergone treatment with this surgical strategy. The outcome in this patient underscores the feasibility and safety of endoscopic endonasal surgery even in toddlers and early childhood.

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Anterior Skull Base Meningioma: Surgical approach and complication avoidance

Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B Skull Base ◽

10.1055/a-1733-9320 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Bhawan Nangarwal ◽

Jaskaran Singh Gosal ◽

Kuntal Kanti Das ◽

Deepak Khatri ◽

Kamlesh Singh Bhaisora ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skull Base ◽

Tumor Resection ◽

Vascular Complications ◽

Good Alternative ◽

Anterior Skull Base ◽

Csf Leak ◽

Medical Complication ◽

Endoscopic Endonasal ◽

Olfactory Groove ◽

Skull Base Meningioma

Background: Endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) and keyhole transcranial approaches are being increasingly used in anterior skull base meningioma (ASBM) surgery. Objective: We compare tumor resection rates and complication profiles of EEA and supraorbital key hole approach (SOKHA) against conventional transcranial approaches (TCA). Methods: Fifty-four patients with ASBM [olfactory groove (OGM), n=19 and planum sphenoidale/tuberculum sellae (PS/TSM), n=35) operated at a single centre over 7 years were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The overall rate of GTR was higher in OGM (15/19, 78.9%) than PS-TSM group (23/35, 65.7%, p=0.37). GTR rate with OGM was 90% and 75% with TCA and EEA. Death (n=1) following medical complication (TCA) and CSF leak requiring re-exploration (n=2, one each in TCA and EEA) accounted for the major complications in OGM. For the PS/TSM group, the GTR rates were 73.3% (n=11/15), 53.8% (n=7/13) and 71.4% (n=5/7) with TCA, EEA and SOKHA respectively. Seven patients (20%) of PS-TSM developed major postoperative complications including 4 deaths (one each in TCA, SOKHA and 2 in EEA group) and 3 visual deteriorations. Direct and indirect vascular complications were common in lesser invasive approaches to PS-TSM especially if the tumor has encased intracranial arteries. Conclusions: No single approach is applicable to all ASBMs. TCA is still the best approach to obtain GTR but has tissue trauma related problems. SOKHA may be a good alternative to TCA in selected PS-TSMs while EEA may be an alternate option in some OGMs. A meticulous patient selection is needed to derive reported results of EEA for PS-TSM.

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Endoscopic-assisted Craniofacial Resection

Otorhinolaryngology Clinics - An International Journal ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10003-1075 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 156-160

Author(s):

Aliasgar Moiyadi ◽

Deepa Nair ◽

Prathamesh S Pai

Keyword(s):

Skull Base ◽

Tumor Resection ◽

Additional Treatment ◽

Anterior Skull Base ◽

Skull Base Tumors ◽

Craniofacial Resection ◽

Endoscopic Endonasal ◽

The Past ◽

Select Group ◽

Sinonasal Tumor

ABSTRACT Management of anterior skull base tumors has progressed steadily since AS Ketcham popularized the craniofacial surgical technique in the seventies with good results. In the past two decades, endoscopic sinonasal tumor resection has been established as an additional treatment option. For tumors that cross the anterior skull base, a cranial access is vital to encompass the tumor all around. For a select group of these transcranial lesions, the sinonasal component is suitable for an endoscopic endonasal oncologically safe resection along with a traditional transcranial access to complete the resection. This article endeavors to describe the endoscopicassisted craniofacial combining the advantages of a transnasal minimal access to reduce facial morbidity and the transcranial access for superior control of tumors with adequate margins.

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Neurilemmoma of fronto-ethmoid paranasal sinuses: aggressive anterior skull base destructing tumor—a case report

Journal of Surgical Case Reports ◽

10.1093/jscr/rjaa469 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 (12) ◽

Author(s):

Jamal Jawad ◽

Rawan Mandura ◽

Hatem Alhatem

Keyword(s):

Skull Base ◽

Tumor Resection ◽

Neck Region ◽

Postoperative Recovery ◽

Anterior Skull Base ◽

The Body ◽

Autonomic Nerves ◽

Endoscopic Endonasal ◽

Orbital Wall ◽

Sinus Drainage

Abstract Neurilemmomas (Schwannomas) of sinonasal tract are very unusual. They are benign, slow-growing, usually solitary encapsulated perineural tumors. They arise from Schwann cells of the neural sheath of the peripheral nervous system including motor, sensory and autonomic nerves. They can occur throughout the body, but the head and neck region demonstrate a higher incidence of occurrence (25–45%). The sinonasal region, however, has the lowest incidence rate with only 3–4%. We report here a rare case of fronto-ethmoid sinus neurilemmoma that is locally destructing the anterior skull base and the lateral orbital wall. A left eye proptosis, diplopia and chemosis were the presenting complaints. Images and histopathology examinations confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent tumor resection through Endoscopic Endonasal approach, followed by a functional sinus drainage of the retained secretions. The patient made a good postoperative recovery and remained disease free at a 1-year follow up period.

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Quality of life following endoscopic endonasal resection of anterior skull base cancers

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2013.8.jns13296 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 119 (6) ◽

pp. 1401-1409 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Paolo Castelnuovo ◽

Davide Lepera ◽

Mario Turri-Zanoni ◽

Paolo Battaglia ◽

Andrea Bolzoni Villaret ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Skull Base ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Anterior Skull Base ◽

Surgical Approaches ◽

Partial Recovery ◽

Endoscopic Endonasal ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Study Population

Object For several decades, the exclusive purpose in the management of anterior skull base malignancies has been to increase survival rates. Recently, given the improved prognosis achieved, more attention has been focused on quality of life (QOL) as well. Producing data on QOL in anterior skull base cancers is hampered by the rarity of the neoplasm and the lack of specific questionnaires. The purpose of this study was to assess health-related QOL in a large and homogeneous cohort of patients affected by anterior skull base cancers who had undergone endoscopic endonasal resection. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective review of patients treated for sinonasal and skull base cancers via an endoscopic endonasal approach at two Italian tertiary care referral centers. All patients were asked to complete the Anterior Skull Base Surgery Questionnaire to evaluate their QOL before and 1 month and 1 year after surgical treatment. To assess which parameters affect QOL, the study population was divided into subgroups according to age, sex, stage of disease, surgical approach, and adjuvant therapy. Results One hundred fifty-three patients were enrolled in this study according to the adopted inclusion criteria. Overall QOL started at a score of 4.68 for the preoperative period, sharply decreased as far as a score of 4.03 during the 1st postoperative month, and rose again to a score of 4.59 over the course of 1 year after treatment, with a significant difference among the 3 values (p < 0.05). The specific symptoms and physical status domains registered poorer results at the 1-year assessment (4.00 and 4.71, respectively) than at the preoperative assessment (both domains 4.86), with a statistically significant reduction in scores (p < 0.05). Worse outcomes were associated with several variables: age > 60 years (difference of 0.21 points between the preoperative and 1-year period, p < 0.05), expanded surgical approaches with transnasal craniectomy (decrease of 0.20 points between the preoperative and 1-year period, p < 0.05), and postoperative radiotherapy (score of 4.53 at the 1-year period vs 4.70 in patients without any adjuvant treatment, p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found when analyzing the study population according to sex (p > 0.1) and T classification of disease at presentation (p > 0.05). Conclusions Radical endoscopic endonasal resection led to either complete or at least partial recovery of patient QOL within the 1st postoperative year.

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Expanded endoscopic endonasal transcribriform approach for resection of anterior skull base olfactory schwannoma

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2012.v3.focus11300 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 32 (Suppl1) ◽

pp. E3 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

James K. Liu ◽

Jean Anderson Eloy

Keyword(s):

Skull Base ◽

Skull Base Surgery ◽

Tumor Resection ◽

Cranial Base ◽

Anterior Skull Base ◽

Endoscopic Endonasal ◽

Olfactory Groove ◽

Anterior Cranial Base ◽

Ventral Skull Base ◽

Brain Retraction

Anterior skull base (ASB) schwannomas are extremely rare and can often mimic other pathologies involving the ASB such as olfactory groove meningiomas, hemangiopericytomas, esthesioneuroblastomas, and other malignant ASB tumors. The mainstay of treatment for these lesions is gross-total resection. Traditionally, resection for tumors in this location is performed through a bifrontal transbasal approach that can involve some degree of brain retraction or manipulation for tumor exposure. With the recent advances in endoscopic skull base surgery, various ASB tumors can be resected successfully using an expanded endoscopic endonasal transcribriform approach through a “keyhole craniectomy” in the ventral skull base. This approach represents the most direct route to the anterior cranial base without any brain retraction. Tumor involving the paranasal sinuses, medial orbits, and cribriform plate can be readily resected. In this video atlas report, the authors demonstrate their step-by-step techniques for resection of an ASB olfactory schwannoma using a purely endoscopic endonasal transcribriform approach. They describe and illustrate the operative nuances and surgical pearls to safely and efficiently perform the approach, tumor resection, and multilayered reconstruction of the cranial base defect. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/NLtOGfKWC6U.

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Anterior Skull Base Tumors and Surgery

10.2310/ot.7057 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Judd H. Fastenberg ◽

Gurston G. Nyquist ◽

Blair M. Barton

Keyword(s):

Skull Base ◽

Anterior Skull Base ◽

Sinus Surgery ◽

Csf Leak ◽

Endoscopic Endonasal ◽

Dural Repair ◽

Endoscopic Techniques ◽

Anterior Cranial Base ◽

Tissue Flaps ◽

Skull Base Defects

Anterior skull base surgery requires intimate knowledge of a highly complex anatomic region containing critical neurovascular structures. A wide array of pathologies can occur along the anterior cranial base, including meningiomas, esthesioneuroblastomas, pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas, chondrosarcomas, and chordomas. Advancements in endoscopic sinus surgery have allowed many of these tumors to be effectively treated via an endoscopic endonasal technique. This approach obviates the need for large incisions causing cosmetic deformity, improves magnification of the surgical field, and offers a direct path to lesions thus avoiding retraction of structures such as the brain and nerves. Surgeons must understand the limitations of endoscopic techniques and consider open or combined open and endoscopic approaches when appropriate. Reconstructive anterior skull base techniques vary depending on the size and location of defects, along with factors such as intracranial pressure and patient co-morbidities. Large skull base defects require multilayer reconstruction that include a watertight primary dural repair with either synthetic or autologous tissue, followed by local vascularized tissue flaps. This review contains 8 figures, 2 videos, 4 tables and 33 references Key words: Anterior skull base, meningioma, esthesioneuroblastoma, chordoma, pituitary, CSF leak, nasosptal flap, dural repair, expanded endonasal approaches, endoscopic surgery

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Pterygovaginal artery as a target of embolization before endoscopic skull base surgery

The Neuroradiology Journal ◽

10.1177/19714009211013490 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 197140092110134

Author(s):

Keisuke Yoshida ◽

Takenori Akiyama ◽

Eytan Raz ◽

Dai Kamamoto ◽

Hiroyuki Ozawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skull Base ◽

Endoscopic Resection ◽

Cone Beam Ct ◽

Tumor Resection ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Anatomical Variations ◽

Preoperative Embolization ◽

Maxillary Artery ◽

Skull Base Tumor ◽

Endoscopic Endonasal

Background The pterygovaginal artery (PtVA), a recurrent branch of the internal maxillary artery (IMA), can be a feeder of skull base tumors. Preoperative embolization can help endoscopic resection of hypervascular lesions, which is performed under a narrow surgical space with restricted instrumental maneuverability. Methods We performed preoperative embolization in five cases with hypervascular skull base lesions supplied by the PtVA, four of which were resected via endoscopic endonasal approach. In two cases, selective PtVA embolization through the distal IMA was successfully conducted. Results In all the cases, intraoperative bleeding during endoscopic resection was easily controlled. The medial and lateral origins of the PtVA from the IMA were demonstrated by cone-beam CT images reconstructed from three-dimensional rotational angiography, and anastomoses around the eustachian tube and soft palate were visualized by superselective angiography. Conclusions The PtVA embolization can be an effective strategy before endoscopic skull base tumor resection. When embolizing through the PtVA, clinicians should be aware of its anatomical variations and dangerous anastomoses. Understanding the surrounding angioarchitecture by angiographic techniques helps ensure safe embolization.

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