Anterior Skull Base Tumors and Surgery

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

Incidence of Postoperative CSF Leak Using a Single-Layer Closure with Acellular Dermal Allograft for Anterior Skull Base Defects

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pawina Jiramongkolchai ◽  
Jake J. Lee ◽  
Cristine N. Klatt-Cromwell ◽  
Albert H. Kim ◽  
Michael R. Chicoine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Anterior Skull Base ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Skull Base Defects ◽  
Acellular Dermal

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

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-62 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Stepwise Algorithm for Skull Base Reconstruction in Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery: From the Simple to the Complex

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Belen Vega ◽  
Philippe Lavigne ◽  
Vanessa Hernandez-Hernandez ◽  
Aldo Eguiluz-Menendez ◽  
Eric Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Free Flaps ◽  
Fat Graft ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery ◽  
Endonasal Surgery ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Skull Base Reconstruction ◽  
Skull Base Defects

Abstract INTRODUCTION The most frequent complication of endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) is postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. This study was designed to develop a step-wise algorithm for EES reconstruction across the spectrum of skull base defects: from free mucosal graft for uncomplicated pituitary adenomas to free flaps in complex cases with recurrent leaks. METHODS All patients with skull base pathologies who underwent EES between January 2017 and December 2018 were included and retrospectively analyzed. Tumor location, reconstruction method and postoperative CSF leak were reviewed and a step-wise algorithm based on size and location of defect was developed. RESULTS Location of skull base defects was categorized as follows: anterior fossa, suprasellar, sellar and posterior fossa. For all nonsellar sites, we performed a multilayer (collagen matrix + /- fascia lata + /− fat graft + vascularized flap) reconstruction. The nasoseptal flap (NSF) was the first choice for vascularized reconstruction when available. For all sellar lesions we employed a free mucosal graft unless a high-flow CSF leak was present, in which case a single-layer reconstruction with NSF was performed. When the NSF was not available, alternative local (lateral nasal wall flap) and regional (extracranial pericranial flap) pedicled flaps were successful choices. When patients failed multiple attempts at repair, regional or microvascular free flaps were options. Lumbar spinal drainage was employed for large anterior and posterior fossa defects and during secondary repair of postoperative CSF leaks. Of 347 patients, 4.6% had a postoperative CSF leak. Of 158 patients with an intraoperative leak (45.5%), 10.1% developed a postoperative CSF leak: 7.8% for sellar/suprasellar defects and 13% for anterior/posterior fossa defects. CONCLUSION This algorithm provides a standardized, stepwise approach to the reconstruction of all skull base defects after EES based on location.

Endoscopic Endonasal Transethmoidal Transcribriform Transfovea Ethmoidalis Approach to the Anterior Cranial Fossa and Skull Base

Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 883-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey P. Greenfield ◽  
Vijay K. Anand ◽  
Ashutosh Kacker ◽  
Michael J. Seibert ◽  
Ameet Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Skull Base ◽  
Sphenoid Sinus ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Anterior Skull Base ◽  
Anterior Cranial Fossa ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Lumbar Drainage ◽  
Cranial Fossa

Abstract OBJECTIVE The anterior skull base, in front of the sphenoid sinus, can be approached using a variety of techniques including extended subfrontal, transfacial, and craniofacial approaches. These methods include risks of brain retraction, contusion, cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, and cosmetic deformity. An alternate and more direct approach is the endonasal, transethmoidal, transcribriform, transfovea ethmoidalis approach. METHODS An endoscopic, endonasal approach was used to treat a variety of conditions of the anterior skull base arising in front of the sphenoid sinus and between the orbits in a series of 44 patients. A prospective database was used to detail the corridor of approach, closure technique, use of intraoperative lumbar drainage, operative time, and postoperative complications. Extent of resection was determined by a radiologist using volumetric analysis. RESULTS Pathology included meningo/encephaloceles (19), benign tumors (14), malignant tumors (9), and infectious lesions (2). Lumbar drains were placed intraoperatively in 20 patients. The CSF leak rate was 6.8% for the whole series and 9% for intradural cases. Leaks were effectively managed with lumbar drainage. Early reoperation for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurred in 1 patient (2.2%). There were no intracranial infections. Greater than 98% resection was achieved in 12 of 14 benign and 5 of 9 malignant tumors. CONCLUSION The endoscopic, endonasal, transethmoidal, transcribriform, transfovea ethmoidalis approach is versatile and suitable for managing a variety of pathological entities. This minimal access surgery is a feasible alternative to transcranial, transfacial, or combined craniofacial approaches to the anterior skull base and anterior cranial fossa in front of the sphenoid sinus. The risk of CSF leak and infection are reasonably low and decrease with experience. Longer follow-up and larger series of patients will be required to validate the long-term efficacy of this minimally invasive approach.

scholarly journals Endoscopic Endonasal Reconstructive Methods to the Anterior Skull Base

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (04) ◽  
pp. 203-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srikant Chakravarthi ◽  
Lior Gonen ◽  
Alejandro Monroy-Sosa ◽  
Sammy Khalili ◽  
Amin Kassam
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Middle Turbinate ◽  
Reconstruction Algorithm ◽  
Inferior Turbinate ◽  
Anterior Skull Base ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Fascial Flap ◽  
Skull Base Defects ◽  
Reconstructive Techniques ◽  
Csf Leaks

AbstractThe success of expanded endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) to the anterior skull base, sellar, and parasellar regions has been greatly aided by the advancement in reconstructive techniques. In particular, the pedicled vascularized flaps have been developed and effectively cover skull base defects of varying sizes with a significant reduction in postoperative CSF leaks. There are two aims to this review: (1) We will provide our current, simplified reconstruction algorithm. (2) We will describe, in detail, the relevant anatomy, indications/contraindications, and surgical technique, with a particular emphasis on the nasoseptal flap (NSF). The inferior turbinate flap (ITF), middle turbinate flap (MTF), pericranial flap (PCF), and temporoparietal fascial flap (TPFF) will also be described. The NSF should be the primary option for reconstruction of majority of skull base defects following endonasal endoscopic surgery. In general, for the planum, cribriform, and upper two-thirds of the clivus, the NSF is ideal. For the lower-third of the clivus, the NSF may not be adequate and may require additional reconstructive options. Although limited in reach or more technically challenging, these reconstructive flaps should still be considered and kept in the surgical algorithm.

Endoscopic endonasal approaches to anterior skull base defects in pediatric patients

2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1411-1418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Locatelli ◽  
Federico Rampa ◽  
Ilaria Acchiardi ◽  
Maurizio Bignami ◽  
Andrea Pistochini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Anterior Skull Base ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Skull Base Defects

scholarly journals Endoscopic endonasal resection of midline cranial base tumors

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-17
Author(s):  
Enrico De Divitiis ◽  
Felice Esposito ◽  
Paolo Cappabianca ◽  
Luigi M. Cavallo ◽  
Oreste De Divitiis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Cranial Base ◽  
Transsphenoidal Approach ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Visual Deficits ◽  
Extended Transsphenoidal Approach ◽  
Anterior Cranial Base ◽  
Subtotal Removal

Objective: The advent of the endoscope in transsphenoidalsurgery has permitted to expand the indications of such approach also for the treatment of on tumors located in supra, para, retro and infrasellar regions, enabling the neurosurgeon to work under direct visual control in a minimally invasive way. Since 2004 we have started to use the extended endonasal transsphenoidal approach for a variety of lesions involving the midline skull base and, in particular, the suprasellar area, the cavernous sinus and the retroclival prepontine region. Methods: Over a 36-month period, sixty-four procedures have been performed. The series consisted of 29 males and 35 females, aged from 24 to 80 years (median 49.8 years). The mean follow-up was of 18 months (ranging from 3 to 36 months). Among the patients with midline lesions, who were 90.6 % of the total, seven patients had a pituitary adenoma, sixteen patients were affected by a craniopharyngioma, six patients had a suprasellar Rathke’s cleft cyst, seven subjects had a tuberculum sellae meningioma, four had an olfactorygroove meningioma, and six a clival tumor. Other lesions ofthe midline skull base were, 1 chiasmatic astrocytoma, 1 neuroendocrine tumor, 4 post-traumatic cerebro-spinal fluid rhinorrhea, and one optic nerve glioma. Three other patients had anterior cranial base meningoencephaloceles. Results: Overall, gross total removal of the lesion was achieved in 30/49 tumoral lesions (61.2%); subtotal removal was achieved in 12/49 cases (24.5%). The three cases of meningoencephaloceles were all successfully treated. Among the patients with preoperative visual deficits, most of them fully recovered or improved and only two worsened in one eye. Major complications consisted in 2 deaths (one not directly related with the surgical procedure), 6 postoperative CSF leak (one complicated with bacterial meningitis), one ICA injury, and 6 cases of permanent diabetes insipidus.Conclusion: The extended transsphenoidal approach tothe supra and parasellar lesions seems Endoscopy; Transsphenoidal surgery; Extended approach; Parasellar; Tumors; Anterior skull base. A promising minimally invasivetechnique for the removal of lesions affecting these areas,once thought to be suitable only of the transcranial routes.Concerning the lesion removal and the recurrence rate compared with the transcranial routes, it is too early to pose a definitive word, since the follow-up is still too short.

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