Endoscopic endonasal versus transcranial approach to tuberculum sellae and planum sphenoidale meningiomas in a similar cohort of patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan D. Bander ◽  
Harminder Singh ◽  
Colin B. Ogilvie ◽  
Ryan C. Cusic ◽  
David J. Pisapia ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEPlanum sphenoidale (PS) and tuberculum sellae (TS) meningiomas cause visual symptoms due to compression of the optic chiasm. The treatment of choice is surgical removal with the goal of improving vision and achieving complete tumor removal. Two options exist to remove these tumors: the transcranial approach (TCA) and the endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA). Significant controversy exists regarding which approach provides the best results and whether there is a subset of patients for whom an EEA may be more suitable. Comparisons using a similar cohort of patients, namely, those suitable for gross-total resection with EEA, are lacking from the literature.METHODSThe authors reviewed all cases of PS and TS meningiomas that were surgically removed at Weill Cornell Medical College between 2000 and 2015 (TCA) and 2008 and 2015 (EEA). All cases were shown to a panel of 3 neurosurgeons to find only those tumors that could be removed equally well either through an EEA or TCA to standardize both groups. Volumetric measurements of preoperative and postoperative tumor size, FLAIR images, and apparent diffusion coefficient maps were assessed by 2 independent reviewers and compared to assess extent of resection and trauma to the surrounding brain. Visual outcome and complications were also compared.RESULTSThirty-two patients were identified who underwent either EEA (n = 17) or TCA (n = 15). The preoperative tumor size was comparable (mean 5.58 ± 3.42 vs 5.04 ± 3.38 cm3 [± SD], p = 0.661). The average extent of resection achieved was not significantly different between the 2 groups (98.80% ± 3.32% vs 95.13% ± 11.69%, p = 0.206). Postoperatively, the TCA group demonstrated a significant increase in the FLAIR/edema signal compared with EEA patients (4.15 ± 7.10 vs −0.69 ± 2.73 cm3, p = 0.014). In addition, the postoperative diffusion-weighted imaging signal of cytotoxic ischemic damage was significantly higher in the TCA group than in the EEA group (1.88 ± 1.96 vs 0.40 ± 0.55 cm3, p =0.008). Overall, significantly more EEA patients experienced improved or stable visual outcomes compared with TCA patients (93% vs 56%, p = 0.049). Visual deterioration was greater after TCA than EEA (44% vs 0%, p = 0.012). While more patients experienced postoperative seizures after TCA than after EEA (27% vs 0%, p = 0.038), there was a trend toward more CSF leakage and anosmia after EEA than after TCA (11.8% vs 0%, p = 0.486 and 11.8% vs 0%, p = 0.118, respectively).CONCLUSIONSIn this small single-institution study of similarly sized and located PS and TS meningiomas, EEA provided equivalent rates of resection with better visual results, less trauma to the brain, and fewer seizures. These preliminary results merit further investigation in a larger multiinstitutional study and may support EEA resection by experienced surgeons in a subset of carefully selected PS and TS meningiomas.

2012 ◽  
Vol 71 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. ons58-ons67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe Attia ◽  
Jothy Kandasamy ◽  
Dejan Jakimovski ◽  
Jeffrey Bedrosian ◽  
Marjan Alimi ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Suprasellar meningiomas often invade the optic canals (OCs). The feasibility of removing these tumors through a minimal-access endonasal route has been demonstrated, but the importance, safety, and timing of OC exploration and decompression are not well described. OBJECTIVE: To create a simple decision-tree algorithm for OC exploration and decompression in the endonasal endoscopic surgery for planum sphenoidale and tuberculum sella meningiomas. METHODS: We identified a consecutive series of 8 planum sphenoidale and tuberculum sella meningiomas resected endonasally. “Late” OC exploration and decompression was performed in 4 of 8 patients. The extent of resection, visual outcome, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Five patients had OC invasion on magnetic resonance imaging. Endoscopic inspection did not reveal additional OC invasion. The OC was opened bilaterally in 2 patients and unilaterally in 2 patients. Gross total resection was achieved in 6 of 7 patients in whom it was the goal. Vision improved in 3 patients (3 of 3 OCs opened) and was stable in 4 (1 of 4 OCs opened). In 1 patient, the bitemporal hemianopsia improved, but there was unilateral deterioration (no OC invasion) because the tumor was extremely adherent to 1 optic nerve. After an average follow-up of 20.9 months, all patients had an Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 5, and there were no cerebrospinal fluid leaks. CONCLUSION: Exploration and decompression of the OC are feasible, safe, and important to optimize visual outcome and to minimize recurrence in planum sphenoidale and tuberculum sella meningiomas resected endonasally. It may not be important to open the canal early during surgery because tumor debulking can be performed without manipulating the optic nerves. Early decompression, however, is technically feasible.


2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. E2 ◽  
Author(s):  
James K. Liu ◽  
Lana D. Christiano ◽  
Smruti K. Patel ◽  
R. Shane Tubbs ◽  
Jean Anderson Eloy

Tuberculum sellae meningiomas frequently extend into the optic canals. Radical tumor resection including the involved dural attachment, underlying hyperostotic bone, and intracanalicular tumor in the optic canal offers the best chance of a Simpson Grade I resection to minimize recurrence. Decompression of the optic canal with removal of the intracanalicular tumor also improves visual outcome since this portion of the tumor is usually the cause of asymmetrical visual loss. The purely endoscopic endonasal extended transsphenoidal approach offers a direct midline trajectory and immediate access to tuberculum sellae meningiomas without brain retraction and manipulation of neurovascular structures. Although the endoscopic approach has been previously criticized for its inability to remove tumor within the optic canals, complete Simpson Grade I tumor removal including intracanalicular tumor, dural attachment, and involved hyperostotic bone can be achieved in properly selected patients. Excellent visualization of the suprasellar region and the inferomedial aspects of both optic canals allows for extracapsular, extraarachnoid dissection of the tumor from the critical structures using bimanual microsurgical dissection. In this report, the authors describe the operative nuances for removal of tuberculum sellae meningiomas with optic canal involvement using a purely endoscopic endonasal extended transsphenoidal (transplanum transtuberculum) approach. They specifically highlight the technique for endonasal bilateral optic nerve decompression and removal of intracanalicular tumor to improve postoperative visual function, as demonstrated in 2 illustrative cases. Special attention is also given to cranial base reconstruction to prevent CSF leakage using the vascularized pedicled nasoseptal flap.


1988 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian T. Andrews ◽  
Charles B. Wilson

✓ The authors reviewed 38 cases of suprasellar meningioma to determine the correlation between tumor site and postoperative visual outcome. Progressive visual loss, the most frequent initial complaint (94.7%), occurred over a mean of 24½ months, was most often unilateral (18 patients) or bilateral but asymmetrical (14 patients), and was severe (20/200 vision or worse) in 23 patients; 24 patients had visual field abnormalities. Computerized tomography or magnetic resonance studies clearly delineated the lesions but did not appear to permit earlier diagnosis. Eleven patients had tumors limited to the tuberculum sellae; the tumor extended from the tuberculum sellae onto the planum sphenoidale in nine patients, into one optic canal in eight, onto the diaphragma sellae in seven, and onto the medial sphenoid wing in three. Patients with tumors affecting the optic canal had severe unilateral visual loss more often than those with tumors at other sites. Tumors limited to the tuberculum sellae were most often completely resected; postoperative recovery of vision was also most frequent in patients with tumors at this site. Tumors involving the diaphragma sellae or the medial sphenoid wing were least often completely removed and most likely to be associated with postoperative visual deterioration. Overall, 42% of patients had improved vision postoperatively, 30% remained unchanged, and 28% were worse. After a mean follow-up period of 38 months, 24 patients are doing well, four have significant visual disability, and three are blind or doing poorly. Two patients died of causes unrelated to their tumor. Three patients have had tumor recurrence.


2010 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 694-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Wang ◽  
Xiao-Jie Lu ◽  
Wei-Ying Ji ◽  
Zheng-Cun Yan ◽  
Jia Xu ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Arad Iranmehr ◽  
Mostafa Esmaeilnia ◽  
Khashayar Afshari ◽  
Seyed Mousa Sadrehosseini ◽  
Azin Tabari ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recently the endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) has been introduced as a modality for the treatment of patients with craniopharyngiomas. In this study, we describe our initial experience in treatment of 29 patients with craniopharyngiomas using this approach. Methods Twenty-nine consecutive patients with craniopharyngiomas who had undergone EES in a 5-year period were studied retrospectively. Patients underwent preoperative and postoperative endocrinologic and ophthalmologic evaluations. Radiologic characteristics of tumors and extent of resection were determined. The recurrence and complications were evaluated. Results Pituitary and visual dysfunction were observed preoperatively in 89.7 and 86% of patients, respectively. After EES, visual outcome either showed an improvement or else remained unchanged in 92.3% of the cases; however, pituitary function remained unchanged and even got worsened in 34.6% of the cases. Prevalence of diabetes insipidus before and after surgery was 58.6 and 69.2%. The rate of gross total resection was 62%. Moreover, 86.2% of the tumors were almost totally resected (more than 95% of the tumor size resected). After surgery, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and meningitis occurred in four (13.8%) and two (6.9%) patients, respectively. Perioperative mortality was seen in two of the cases (6.9%). The mean follow-up was 25 months and tumor recurrence was discovered in four patients (15.3%). Conclusion The EES with the goal of maximal and safe tumor resection could be used for the treatment of most craniopharyngiomas. Although the rates of visual improvement and gross tumor resection are high, CSF leak, pituitary dysfunction, and meningitis are serious concerns.


2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. E6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd J. Wannemuehler ◽  
Kolin E. Rubel ◽  
Benjamin K. Hendricks ◽  
Jonathan Y. Ting ◽  
Troy D. Payner ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Craniopharyngiomas have historically been resected via transcranial microsurgery (TCM). In the last 2 decades, the extended endoscopic endonasal (transtuberculum) approach to these tumors has become more widely accepted, yet there remains controversy over which approach leads to better outcomes. The purpose of this study is to determine whether differences in outcomes were identified between TCM and extended endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEEAs) in adult patients undergoing primary resection of suprasellar craniopharyngiomas at a single institution. METHODS A retrospective review of all patients who underwent resection of their histopathologically confirmed craniopharyngiomas at the authors' institution between 2005 and 2015 was performed. Pediatric patients, revision cases, and patients with tumors greater than 2 standard deviations above the mean volume were excluded. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those undergoing primary TCM and those undergoing a primary EEEA. Preoperative patient demographics, presenting symptoms, and preoperative tumor volumes were determined. Extent of resection, tumor histological subtype, postoperative complications, and additional outcome data were obtained. Statistical significance between variables was determined utilizing Student t-tests, chi-square tests, and Fisher exact tests when applicable. RESULTS After exclusions, 21 patients satisfied the aforementioned inclusion criteria; 12 underwent TCM for resection while 9 benefitted from the EEEA. There were no significant differences in patient demographics, presenting symptoms, tumor subtype, or preoperative tumor volumes; no tumors had significant lateral or prechiasmatic extension. The extent of resection was similar between these 2 groups, as was the necessity for additional surgery or adjuvant therapy. CSF leakage was encountered only in the EEEA group (2 patients). Importantly, the rate of postoperative visual improvement was significantly higher in the EEEA group than in the TCM group (88.9% vs 25.0%; p = 0.0075). Postoperative visual deterioration only occurred in the TCM group (3 patients). Recurrence was uncommon, with similar rates between the groups. Other complication rates, overall complication risk, and additional outcome measures were similar between these groups as well. CONCLUSIONS Based on this study, most outcome variables appear to be similar between TCM and EEEA routes for similarly sized tumors in adults. The multidisciplinary EEEA to craniopharyngioma resection represents a safe and compelling alternative to TCM. The authors' data demonstrate that postoperative visual improvement is statistically more likely in the EEEA despite the increased risk of CSF leakage. These results add to the growing evidence that the EEEA may be considered the approach of choice for resection of select confined primary craniopharyngiomas without significant lateral extension in centers with experienced surgeons. Further prospective, multiinstitutional collaboration is needed to power studies capable of fully evaluating indications and appropriate approaches for craniopharyngiomas.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 556-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico de Divitiis ◽  
Felice Esposito ◽  
Paolo Cappabianca ◽  
Luigi M. Cavallo ◽  
Oreste de Divitiis

Abstract OBJECTIVE Tuberculum sellae meningiomas represent 5 to 10% of all intracranial meningiomas. Such lesions are classically removed through a variety of well-standardized transcranial approaches. The extended endonasal transsphenoidal route, under either microscopic or endoscopic visualization, has only recently been proposed as a viable surgical technique for the management of such tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 51 consecutive patients with tuberculum sellae meningiomas were treated at our institution during a 21-year period. Forty-four patients had transcranial surgery, and the last seven were treated via the extended endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. We also compared our data with those reported in the pertinent literature related to the surgical, ophthalmological, and endocrinological outcome. RESULTS The significant difference among the transcranial and transsphenoidal series, both in our experience and in the reviewed literature, did not allow us to draw statistically significant results but rather a reporting of the outcomes. In the transcranial group, 86.4% had a gross total removal of the lesion, whereas the percentage was 83.3% in the transsphenoidal group. Concerning the visual outcome, we experienced postoperative improvement in 61.4% of the transcranial patients and a worsening of 13.6%, whereas improvement was reported in 71.4% of the patients in the transsphenoidal group; in the last group, we did not observe any postoperative worsening. The main drawback of the transsphenoidal approach still remains the difficulty in reconstructing the cranial base dural and bone defects, which expose patients to a greater risk of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage (28.6% in our series) and related complications. CONCLUSION When treating a patient with a diagnosis of tuberculum sellae meningioma, a neurosurgeon should know that, aside from the classical transcranial approach, the possibility of an extended transsphenoidal approach exists. Although it is still not a standardized procedure, in carefully selected cases (i.e., small midline lesions, without major vessel encasement, or parasellar extension) and in experienced hands, it could be considered a viable alternative, especially in overcoming the reconstruction-related problems.


2011 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Di Maio ◽  
Luigi M. Cavallo ◽  
Felice Esposito ◽  
Vita Stagno ◽  
Olga Valeria Corriero ◽  
...  

Object Whereas most pituitary adenomas are removable via the transsphenoidal approach, certain cases, such as dumbbell-shaped or suprasellar adenomas and recurrent and/or fibrous tumors, remain difficult to treat. The authors present their experience with the extended endoscopic endonasal approach to the suprasellar area in managing this subset of tumors, which are classically treated through a transcranial route. Methods From June 1997 to December 2008, 615 patients underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas in the Department of Neurosurgery of the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II. Of this group, 20 patients with pituitary adenomas needed an extended endoscopic endonasal transtuberculum/transplanum approach for tumor removal. Two surgical corridors were used during the transsphenoidal approach: 1) the conventional endosellar extraarachnoidal corridor and 2) a suprasellar transarachnoidal corridor. Results The extent of resection was gross total in 12 (60%) of the 20 patients, near total in 4 (20%), subtotal in 3 (15%), and partial in 1 (5%). Postoperative CSF leakage occurred in 1 patient. One patient experienced worsening of temporal hemianopsia. Conclusions The authors' initial results with the extended endoscopic approach to the suprasellar area for selected pituitary adenomas are promising and may justify a widening of the current classical indications for transsphenoidal surgery.


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