scholarly journals Combined supra/infratentorial-transsinus approach to large pineal region tumors

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. E2
Author(s):  
Ibrahim M. Ziyal ◽  
Laligam N. Sekhar ◽  
Eduardo Salas ◽  
Wayne J. Olan

Object The authors sought to confirm that the combined supra/infratentorial-transsinus approach offers a safer means of resecting large pineal region tumors than other approaches currently being used. The aforementioned method provides a wider exposure of the pineal region with less brain retraction than the infratentorial-supracerebellar or the occipital-transtentorial approach alone and is applicable to some large and giant tumors of this area. This combined approach was used in six patients to remove large pineal region tumors including four tentorial meningiomas, one pineocytoma, and one epidermoid cyst. Methods The transverse sinus and tentorium were sectioned after review of preoperative angiographic studies, after taking intraoperative measurements of the venous pressure in the nondominant transverse sinus before and after clipping and while monitoring the somatosensory evoked potentials. The occipital lobe cortex and cerebellum were retracted slightly along the tentorium. Deep veins of the galenic system, the quadrigeminal area, and the tumor were well exposed. Before it was used for tumor resection the approach was studied in five cadaveric head specimens, and the projection of different approaches was compared radiologically. The tumors were removed in a gross-total manner in all patients, and none of the major veins of the galenic system was injured. Resuturing of the nondominant transverse sinus was performed postoperatively in one patient. One of the six patients experienced transient visual loss, and another suffered mild right sixth cranial nerve paresis; however, both recovered in 3 weeks. The wide exposure of the combined approach was also confirmed on radiological and anatomical studies. Conclusions The combined supra/infratentorial-transsinus approach is preferred for the resection of certain large pineal region tumors.

1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 1050-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim M. Ziyal ◽  
Laligam N. Sekhar ◽  
Eduardo Salas ◽  
Wayne J. Olan

Object. The authors sought to confirm that the combined supra/infratentorial—transsinus approach offers a safer means of resecting large pineal region tumors than other approaches currently being used. The aforementioned method provides a wider exposure of the pineal region with less brain retraction than the infratentorial—supracerebellar or the occipital—transtentorial approach alone and is applicable to some large and giant tumors of this area. This combined approach was used in six patients to remove large pineal region tumors including four tentorial meningiomas, one pineocytoma, and one epidermoid cyst. Methods. The transverse sinus and tentorium were sectioned after review of preoperative angiographic studies, after taking intraoperative measurements of the venous pressure in the nondominant transverse sinus before and after clipping and while monitoring the somatosensory evoked potentials. The occipital lobe cortex and cerebellum were retracted slightly along the tentorium. Deep veins of the galenic system, the quadrigeminal area, and the tumor were well exposed. Before it was used for tumor resection the approach was studied in five cadaveric head specimens, and the projection of different approaches was compared radiologically. The tumors were removed in a gross-total manner in all patients, and none of the major veins of the galenic system was injured. Resuturing of the nondominant transverse sinus was performed postoperatively in one patient. One of the six patients experienced transient visual loss, and another suffered mild right sixth cranial nerve paresis; however, both recovered in 3 weeks. The wide exposure of the combined approach was also confirmed on radiological and anatomical studies. Conclusions. The combined supra/infratentorial—transsinus approach is preferred for the resection of certain large pineal region tumors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (videosuppl1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
James K. Liu

Large deep-seated meningiomas of the falcotentorial region present a formidable surgical challenge. In this operative video, the author demonstrates the combined bi-occipital suboccipital transsinus transtentorial approach for microsurgical resection of a large falcotentorial meningioma. This approach involves division of the less dominant transverse sinus after assessment of the venous pressure before and after clipping of the sinus with continuous neurophysiologic monitoring. Mild retraction of the occipital lobe and cerebellum results in a wide supra- and infratentorial exposure of extensive pineal region tumors. This video atlas demonstrates the operative technique and surgical nuances, including patient positioning, supra- and infratentorial craniotomy, transsinus transtentorial incision, and tumor removal with preservation of the vein of Galen complex. In summary, the combined bi-occipital suboccipital transsinus transtentorial approach provides a wide supra- and infratentorial surgical corridor for removal of select falcotentorial meningiomas.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/3aD8h2uwBAo.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 404-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Mascitelli ◽  
Jan-Karl Burkhardt ◽  
Sirin Gandhi ◽  
Michael T Lawton

Abstract BACKGROUND Surgical resection of cavernous malformations (CM) in the posterior thalamus, pineal region, and midbrain tectum is technically challenging owing to the presence of adjacent eloquent cortex and critical neurovascular structures. Various supracerebellar infratentorial (SCIT) approaches have been used in the surgical armamentarium targeting lesions in this region, including the median, paramedian, and extreme lateral variants. Surgical view of a posterior thalamic CM from the traditional ipsilateral vantage point may be obscured by occipital lobe and tentorium. OBJECTIVE To describe a novel surgical approach via a contralateral SCIT (cSCIT) trajectory for resecting posterior thalamic CMs. METHODS From 1997 to 2017, 75 patients underwent the SCIT approach for cerebrovascular/oncologic pathology by the senior author. Of these, 30 patients underwent the SCIT approach for CM resection, and 3 patients underwent the cSCIT approach. Historical patient data, radiographic features, surgical technique, and postoperative neurological outcomes were evaluated in each patient. RESULTS All 3 patients presented with symptomatic CMs within the right posterior thalamus with radiographic evidence of hemorrhage. All surgeries were performed in the sitting position. There were no intraoperative complications. Neuroimaging demonstrated complete CM resection in all cases. There were no new or worsening neurological deficits or evidence of rebleeding/recurrence noted postoperatively. CONCLUSION This study establishes the surgical feasibility of a contralateral SCIT approach in resection of symptomatic thalamic CMs It demonstrates the application for this procedure in extending the surgical trajectory superiorly and laterally and maximizing safe resectability of these deep CMs with gravity-assisted brain retraction.


2005 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor de Castro ◽  
Daniel de Holanda Christoph ◽  
José Alberto Landeiro

In spite of significant advancements in imaging technology, monitoring, and microsurgical techniques, complete and safe removal of tentorial meningiomas remains a challenge for most neurosurgeons. Classifications of tentorial meningiomas are revised. The combined supra/infratentorial approach to resects tentorial meningioma is discussed. This approach provides a wider exposure of the supra/infratentorial region with less brain retraction. With this approach the occipital lobe and the cerebellum are exposed along the tentorium. Two illustrative cases are presented. The patients were studied with computerized tomography, magnetic resonance and angiography. The anatomy of the transverse sinus and the confluence of the sinus could be appreciated with these studies. The operative technique is described stepwise. Emphasis is placed on pre-operative evaluation and surgical technique, leading to a total surgical removal of the lesion with margins of safety. The goal of surgical treatment of tentorial meningiomas is their complete and safe removal. With this unique approach we sought to confirm that it offers a safe means of resection not only the neoplasm but also the infiltrated dura.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1352-1358
Author(s):  
Chuandong Cheng ◽  
Jinlong Wu ◽  
Xiaoyu Ru ◽  
Ying Ji

Objective: The pineal region is deep, and anatomical relationship is complex. Imaging evaluation can effectively guide all kind of neurosurgery. The aim of this study was to explore the value of image evaluation in pineal region microsurgery via modified Poppen approach. Methods: From January 2008 to December 2017, the imaging and clinical data form 62 patients received microsurgery of pineal lesions via the modified Poppen approach at our Hospital were reviewed. The incidences of postoperative complications were compared between the patients with differences in lesion diameter, tentorial angle and preoperative hydrocephalus. Result: According to the data from image evaluation, all the pineal lesions was removed through modified Poppen approach, with total tumor resection in 48 cases, subtotal resection in 10 cases, and partial resection in 4 cases. After 3 to 12 months follow-up, the complication was found in 13 cases (21.0%), including hemianopia (2 cases), occipital lobe contusion (7 cases), monoparesis (2 cases), intracranial infection (2 cases). The incidences of postoperative hemianopia and monoparesis for patients with a lesion > 4.5 cm were significantly higher than those with a lesion ≤ 4.5 cm (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative hemianopia for the patients with a tentorial angle > 60° was significantly higher than for those with a tentorial angle ≤ 60° (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Imaging evaluation is useful for microsurgical removal and prediction of complication for modified Poppen approach of pineal lesions.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 817-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Vorkapic ◽  
Franz Waldhauser ◽  
Robert Bruckner ◽  
Christian Biegelmayer ◽  
Manfred Schmidbauer ◽  
...  

Abstract The pineal hormone melatonin (MLT) is secreted in a circadian rhythm with high serum levels during nighttime and low serum levels during daytime. Several authors have reported an altered secretion pattern of MLT in patients with pineal tumors and have proposed that MLT may be used as a tumor marker. In nine patients, a pineal region tumor was diagnosed by computer-assisted tomography. Before and after surgical removal of the tumor, several day- and nighttime serum samples were collected and MLT concentrations were estimated by radioimmunoassay. Before operation, five patients presented a normal circadian pattern of MLT secretion. In the remaining four subjects, MLT levels were undetectable or at the limit of detection, with no signs of a circadian secretion pattern. Eight patients were reexamined after tumor resection, when all but one had undetectable or very low MLT levels. The remaining subject, with a pineomesencephalic pilocytic astrocytoma, dislocating but not involving the pineal gland, presented a normal circadian secretion pattern of MLT after operation; in this case, tumor resection was possible without damaging the pineal gland. Thus, before operation, MLT deficiency rather than exaggerated serum levels may be used as a marker for pineal tumors that destroy the pineal gland. After tumor resection, serum MLT may serve to demonstrate complete pinealectomy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Kulwin ◽  
Ken Matsushima ◽  
Mahdi Malekpour ◽  
Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol

Pineal region tumors pose certain challenges in regard to their resection: a deep surgical field, associated critical surrounding neurovascular structures, and narrow operative working corridor due to obstruction by the apex of the culmen. The authors describe a lateral supracerebellar infratentorial approach that was successfully used in the treatment of 10 large (> 3 cm) midline pineal region tumors. The patients were placed in a modified lateral decubitus position. A small lateral suboccipital craniotomy exposed the transverse sinus. Tentorial retraction sutures were used to gently rotate and elevate the transverse sinus to expand the lateral supracerebellar operative corridor. This approach placed only unilateral normal structures at risk and minimized vermian venous sacrifice. The surgeon achieved generous exposure of the caudal midline mesencephalon through a “cross-court” oblique trajectory, while avoiding excessive retraction on the culmen. All patients underwent the lateral approach with no approach-related complication. The final pathological diagnoses were consistent with meningioma in 3 cases, pilocytic astrocytoma in 3 cases, intermediate grade pineal region tumor in 2 cases, and pineoblastoma in 2 cases. The entire extent of these tumors was readily reachable through the lateral supracerebellar route. Gross-total resection was achieved in 8 (80%) of the 10 cases; in 2 cases (20%) near-total resection was performed due to adherence of these tumors to deep diencephalic veins. Large midline pineal region tumors can be removed through a unilateral paramedian suboccipital craniotomy. This approach is simple, may spare some of the midline vermian bridging veins, and may be potentially less invasive and more efficient.


1992 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 746-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jules M. Nazzaro ◽  
William T. Shults ◽  
Edward A. Neuwelt

✓ To optimize orientation and operative exposure for aggressive resection, the authors approached pineal region tumors transtentorially with the patient in a semisitting position. In the current report, 12 consecutive patients were evaluated to document operative ocular morbidity referable to the brain stem as well as visual deficits secondary to occipital lobe retraction. Before craniotomy, ophthalmological findings related to dorsal midbrain dysfunction were evident in four of the 10 patients who had previously undergone ventricular shunting. The other patients developed a partial or complete Parinaud's syndrome in the early postoperative period and some suffered additional deficits such as cranial nerve palsies. These deficits improved to varying degrees in all patients. Although each had full visual fields preoperatively, an absolute or incomplete left homonymous hemianopsia developed in the immediate postoperative period. Such visual field deficits fully resolved over a variable period of time in 10 of the 12 patients. One patient has a permanent left homonymous hemianopsia, while another has a left homonymous paracentral scotoma. Eight patients were able to return to preoperative pursuits. While ocular abnormalities related to dorsal midbrain dysfunction are most probably independent of operative approach, visual field deficits attributable to occipital lobe retraction were common in patients after a occipital transtentorial approach performed in the semisitting position. Reading difficulties associated with ocular motor dysfunction due to dorsal midbrain involvement represent the principal long-term neuro-ophthalmological complaint of patients who have undergone pineal region surgery.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqing Jia ◽  
Zhenyu Ma ◽  
Isabelle Yisha Liu ◽  
Yuqi Zhang ◽  
Ge Jia ◽  
...  

Object Pediatric pineal region tumors are very difficult to cure surgically. The authors used the transcallosal interforniceal approach in patients with these lesions. Methods One hundred fifty children, 98 boys and 52 girls, with pineal region tumors underwent tumor resection via the transcallosal interforniceal approach in the pediatric neurosurgery ward of TianTan Hospital. The patients ranged in age from 1 to 15 years. Fifty-eight patients had mature teratomas; 57, immature teratomas; 14, astrocytomas; 3, glioblastomas; 4, pineoblastomas; 2, pineocytomas; 4, choriocarcinomas; 4, cavernous hemangiomas; 2, germ cell tumors; and 2, epidermoid cysts. Results One hundred twenty-nine tumors were totally removed, 15 were subtotally removed, and 6 were partly removed. There were no deaths and no subsequent instances of disconnection syndrome. Short-term memory deficits appeared in 94 patients but resolved within 6 months in most; only a few patients retained persistent deficits. There were 2 patients with mutism that resolved within 10 days. Parinaud syndrome was observed in 45 patients after surgery; 21 of these cases had appeared preoperatively. The syndrome resolved within 6 months in 31 patients, while it remained in the other 14. Conclusions The transcallosal interforniceal approach appears to be a safe route for pineal region tumors in children, and complete resection can be achieved in the majority of patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuankun Cai ◽  
Zhongwei Xiong ◽  
Can Xin ◽  
Jincao Chen ◽  
Kui Liu

Background: An endoscope-assisted technique was recently introduced to microsurgery (MS) and may compensate for the disadvantages of MS for deep-seated lesions. This study was performed to identify the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic-assisted microsurgery (EAM) and share our experience of EAM for pediatric cases with pineal region tumors.Method: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of consecutive pediatric cases with pineal region tumors treated by EAM or MS from January 2016 to June 2020. These data included the patient population, clinical manifestations, preoperative examination findings, surgical approach, pathological results, and clinical outcomes. The clinical outcomes were analyzed in the EAM group and MS group with a focus on the gross total resection (GTR) rate, postoperative hydrocephalus remission rate, and Karnofsky performance score (KPS). Studies on the surgical management of children with pineal region tumors in the last decade were reviewed.Result: Eighteen children successfully underwent tumor resection via MS (n = 8) or EAM (n = 10). The children's mean age was 11.4 ± 4.7 years, and the male to female ratio was 7:2. Seventeen patients (94.4%) complicated preoperative hydrocephalus, and 16 (88.9%) presented headache with nausea and/or vomiting. The pathological examination revealed germ cell tumors in 11 (61.1%) patients, neuroepithelial tumors in 4 (22.2%) patients, and a pineoblastoma, arachnoid cyst, and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor in 1 (5.6%) patient each. GTR was more commonly achieved in the EAM than MS group (80.0 vs. 50.0%, respectively), and the postoperative hydrocephalus remission rate was higher in the EAM than MS group (87.5 vs. 50.0%, respectively). At a mean follow-up time of 23.6 ± 11.5 weeks, the mean improvement of the KPS 6 months postoperatively was greater in the EAM than MS group (24.0 ± 9.7 vs. 17.5 ± 7.1 points, respectively).Conclusion: EAM combines endoscopic and microsurgical techniques and can be safely and effectively performed to achieve GTR of pineal region tumors in pediatric patients. In children with pineal region tumors who have obstructive hydrocephalus, EAM could improves hydrocephalus remission rates by checking and clearing the midbrain aqueduct under visualization.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document