scholarly journals Lateral skull base malignancies

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin M. McGrew ◽  
C. Gary Jackson ◽  
Raquel A. Redtfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Postoperative Radiotherapy ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Local Tumor Control ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Lateral Skull Base ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Poor Outcomes

Object Historically poor outcomes have been characteristic in patients with lateral skull base malignancies. As advances in skull base surgical techniques have been made, complete resection has increasingly been achieved. This has resulted in improved survival rates and local tumor control. Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of 95 patients treated for lateral skull base malignancies. The mean age of the patients was 49.4 years. There were 44 females and 51 males. The mean follow-up period was 50 months. Resection was performed in all patients, and postoperative radiotherapy was undertaken in 54% of the cases. Local disease control was maintained in 73% of the patients. Tumor involvement of the facial nerve and intracranial tumor extension did not jeopardize the rate of local control. Conclusions Despite the fact that technical advances in skull base surgery have resulted in a higher incidence of complete tumor resection and improved survival rates, a respect for the poor prognosis historically associated with lateral skull base malignancies should be maintained and treatment should be appropriately aggressive.

Cranial chordomas: results of radical excision

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandranath Sen ◽  
Aymara Triana
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Recurrent Disease ◽  
Postoperative Radiotherapy ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Residual Tumor ◽  
Radical Excision ◽  
Proton Beam Irradiation ◽  
Csf Leakage

Object The authors analyze their experience with the treatment of 29 patients who underwent radical excision of skull base chordomas. Methods Modern skull base surgical techniques were used in all patients who were treated between August 1991 and July 2000. The degree of tumor resection was gauged according to intraoperative inspection and postoperative high-resolution imaging findings. There were 21 patients with primary disease and eight with recurrent disease. Total resection was accomplished in 18 patients. Five patients had undergone radiotherapy prior to the present surgery, and an additional eight patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy. There were no surgery-related deaths. In five patients who died of the disease, surgery and radiotherapy had failed to effect a cure. Two of the remaining patients are alive with recurrent disease, and there is questionable evidence of recurrence in another patient. All 24 patients are functioning independently. Cranial nerve impairment was the most common postoperative deficit, followed by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and infection. Conclusions The use of skull base techiniques in radical surgery provides an opportunity to excise the tumor and the involved bone. In most cases the procedure-related cranial nerve deficits improve over time. The complications of CSF leakage and infection can be minimized and are preventable. Proton beam irradiation is an excellent adjuvant treatment but is reserved for patients with definite tumor recurrence or residual tumor that can be identified on the imaging studies.

Gamma Knife surgery for skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas

2007 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 752-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshinori Hasegawa ◽  
Dai Ishii ◽  
Yoshihisa Kida ◽  
Masayuki Yoshimoto ◽  
Joji Koike ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Gamma Knife Surgery ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Skull Base Chordomas

Object The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiosurgical outcomes in skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas, and to determine which tumors are appropriate for stereotactic radiosurgery as adjuvant therapy following maximum tumor resection. Methods Thirty-seven patients (48 lesions) were treated using Gamma Knife surgery (GKS); 27 had chordomas, seven had chondrosarcomas, and three had radiologically diagnosed chordomas. The mean tumor volume was 20 ml, and the mean maximum and marginal doses were 28 and 14 Gy, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 97 months from diagnosis and 59 months from GKS. Results The actuarial 5- and 10-year survival rates after GKS were 80 and 53%, respectively. The actuarial 5- and 10-year local tumor control (LTC) rates after single or multiple GKS sessions were 76 and 67%, respectively. All patients with low-grade chondrosarcomas achieved good LTC. A tumor volume of less than 20 ml significantly affected the high rate of LTC (p = 0.0182). No patient had adverse radiation effects, other than one in whom facial numbness worsened despite successful tumor control. Conclusions As an adjuvant treatment after resection, GKS is a reasonable option for selected patients harboring skull base chordomas or chondrosarcomas with a residual tumor volume of less than 20 ml. Dose planning with a generous treatment volume to avoid marginal treatment failure should be made at a marginal dose of at least 15 Gy to achieve long-term tumor control.

Diagnosis and Management of Pineocytomas

Neurosurgery ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek R. Deshmukh ◽  
Kris A. Smith ◽  
Harold L. Rekate ◽  
Stephen Coons ◽  
Robert F. Spetzler
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Local Tumor Control ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Pineal Tumors ◽  
Time To Recurrence ◽  
Tectal Plate ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Time

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Pineocytomas are associated with the most favorable prognosis of all pineal tumors. However, a subset of pineocytomas may have a predilection for recurrence and therefore behave aggressively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records of nine patients (five men, four women; mean age, 44 yr; range, 24–63 yr) with histologically diagnosed pineocytomas consecutively treated between 1990 and 2003 were reviewed retrospectively to identify factors predictive of aggressiveness. Eight patients presented with hydrocephalus and four with tectal compression. Three patients underwent gross total resection, and six underwent subtotal resection or biopsy. RESULTS: Three local recurrences necessitated reoperation. One recurrence involved the obex of the fourth ventricle. The mean time to recurrence was 3.5 years (range, 1–7 yr). There was no correlation between histological features and tumor recurrence. Patients undergoing radiosurgery showed stable or attenuated local disease (mean follow-up, 19.3 mo; range, 6–36 mo). Mean radiographic follow-up was 34 months (range, 6 mo to 10 yr). Mean clinical follow-up was 36 months (range, 1 mo to 10 yr). CONCLUSION: A subset of pineocytomas demonstrates the potential for symptomatic recurrence. We advocate an attempt at gross total tumor resection for all symptomatic patients with tectal plate compression, reserving radiosurgery for small, subtotally resected, or recurrent lesions. Patients must be followed closely for recurrence. Radiosurgery seems to be beneficial for local tumor control. Further investigation is needed to identify histological markers for pineocytomas that behave aggressively.

scholarly journals Skull base chordomas: overview of disease, management options, and outcome

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Lanzino ◽  
Aaron S. Dumont ◽  
M. Beatriz S. Lopes ◽  
Edward R. Laws
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Clinical Status ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Extent Of Resection ◽  
Local Tumor Control ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Proton Beam Radiotherapy

Cranial base chordomas are locally invasive tumors that, from a midline, clival location, extend in different directions and display various patterns of skull base invasion. Although histologically benign, their invasive nature makes true “oncological” resection virtually impossible to achieve in most cases, despite modern skull base surgical techniques. Moreover, because of the tumor's location and proximity to critical neural and vascular structures, surgery-related morbidity can be significant when an aggressive resection is undertaken. Cytoreductive surgery assumes a critical role in the management of these lesions. The choice of surgical approach and the extent of resection are dependent on several factors: location and extension of the tumor, the surgeon's philosophy and familiarity with a specific approach, and the patient's preexisting clinical status. Proton-beam radiotherapy seems to be effective as an adjunct to surgery in achieving local tumor control. The timing of radiation therapy, however, remains controversial. Gamma knife surgery has been proposed as an adjunctive therapy, but the limited experience and short follow-up periods do not permit formulation of meaningful conclusions at this time. Recurrences are common, although in a subset of patients prolonged disease-free survival is demonstrated.

scholarly journals Surgical treatment of pulmonary artery sarcoma: a report of 17 cases

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 204589402098639
Author(s):  
Wu Song ◽  
Long Deng ◽  
Jiade Zhu ◽  
Shanshan Zheng ◽  
Haiping Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Pulmonary Endarterectomy ◽  
Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Operative Findings

Pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is a rare and devastating disease. The diagnosis is often delayed, and optimal treatment remains unclear. The aim of this study is to report our experience in the surgical management of this disease. Between 2000 and 2018, 17 patients underwent operations for PAS at our center. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, operative findings, the postoperative outcomes, and the long-term results. The mean age at operation was 46.0 ± 12.4 years (range, 26–79 years), and eight (47.1%) patients were male. Six patients underwent tumor resection alone, whereas the other 11 patients received pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). There were two perioperative deaths. Follow-up was completed for all patients with a mean duration of 23.5 ± 17.6 months (1–52 months). For all 17 patients, the median postoperative survival was 36 months, and estimated cumulative survival rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 60.0%, 51.4%, 42.9%, and 21.4%, respectively. The mean survival was 37.0 months after PEA and 14.6 months after tumor resection only ( p = 0.046). Patients who had no pulmonary hypertension (PH) postoperatively were associated with improved median survival (48 vs. 5 months, p = 0.023). In conclusion, PAS is often mistaken for chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. The prognosis of this very infrequent disease remains poor. Early detection is essential for prompt and best surgical approach, superior to tumor resection alone, and PEA surgery with PH relieved can provide better chance of survival.

Radiosurgery for Treatment of Recurrent Intracranial Hemangiopericytomas

Neurosurgery ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 905-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Sheehan ◽  
Douglas Kondziolka ◽  
John Flickinger ◽  
L. Dade Lunsford
Keyword(s):  
Stereotactic Radiosurgery ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Residual Tumor ◽  
Local Tumor Control ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Local Tumor ◽  
University Of Pittsburgh ◽  
Kaplan Meier

Abstract OBJECTIVE Hemangiopericytomas are highly aggressive meningeal tumors with tendencies for recurrence and metastasis. The purpose of this retrospective, single-institution review was to evaluate the efficacy and role of stereotactic radiosurgery in the management of recurrent hemangiopericytomas. METHODS We reviewed data for patients who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh between 1987 and 2001. Fourteen patients underwent radiosurgery for 15 discrete tumors. Prior treatments included transsphenoidal resection (n = 1), craniotomy and resection (n = 27), embolization (n = 1), and conventional radiotherapy (n = 7). Clinical and radiological responses were evaluated. Follow-up periods varied from 5 to 76 months (mean, 31.3 mo; median, 21 mo). The mean radiation dose to the tumor margin was 15 Gy. RESULTS Seventy-nine percent of patients (11 of 14 patients) with recurrent hemangiopericytomas demonstrated local tumor control after radiosurgery. Twelve of 15 tumors (i.e., 80%) dramatically decreased in size on follow-up imaging scans. Regional intracranial recurrences were retreated with radiosurgery for two patients (i.e., 15%); neither of those two patients experienced long-term tumor control. Local recurrences occurred 12 to 75 months (median, 21 mo) after radiosurgery. Local tumor control and survival rates at 5 years after radiosurgery were 76 and 100%, respectively (Kaplan-Meier method). We could not correlate prior irradiation or tumor size with tumor control. Twenty-nine percent of the patients (4 of 14 patients) developed remote metastases. Radiosurgery did not seem to offer protection against the development of intra- or extracranial metastases. CONCLUSION Gamma knife radiosurgery provided local tumor control for 80% of recurrent hemangiopericytomas. When residual tumor is identified after resection or radiotherapy, early radiosurgery should be considered as a feasible treatment modality. Despite local tumor control, patients are still at risk for distant metastasis. Diligent clinical and radiological follow-up monitoring is necessary.

scholarly journals Metastases to the pituitary gland

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Fassett ◽  
William T. Couldwell
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Diabetes Insipidus ◽  
Skull Base ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Sella Turcica ◽  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Visual Field Defects ◽  
Malignant Neoplasms ◽  
Pituitary Metastases

Only 1% of all pituitary surgeries are performed to treat tumors that have metastasized to the pituitary gland; however, in certain cases of malignant neoplasms pituitary metastases do occur. Breast and lung cancers are the most common diseases that metastasize to the pituitary. Breast cancer metastasizes to the pituitary especially frequently, with reported rates ranging between 6 and 8% of cases. Most pituitary metastases are asymptomatic, with only 7% reported to be symptomatic. Diabetes insipidus, anterior pituitary dysfunction, visual field defects, headache/pain, and ophthalmoplegia are the most commonly reported symptoms. Diabetes insipidus is especially common in this population, occurring in between 29 and 71% of patients who experience symptoms. Differentiation of pituitary metastasis from other pituitary tumors based on neuroimaging alone can be difficult, although certain features, such as thickening of the pituitary stalk, invasion of the cavernous sinus, and sclerosis of the surrounding sella turcica, can indicate metastasis to the pituitary gland. Overall, neurohypophysial involvement seems to be most prevalent, but breast metastases appear to have an affinity for the adenohypophysis. Differentiating metastasis to the pituitary gland from bone metastasis to the skull base, which invades the sella turcica, can also be difficult. In metastasis to the pituitary gland, surrounding sclerosis in the sella turcica is usually minimal compared with metastasis to the skull base. Treatment for these tumors is often multimodal and includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Tumor invasiveness can make resection difficult. Although surgical series have not shown any significant survival benefits given by tumor resection, the patient's quality of life may be improved. Survival among these patients is poor with mean survival rates reported to range between 6 and 22 months.

Radiosurgery for large-volume (> 10 cm3) benign meningiomas

2010 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 951-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Bledsoe ◽  
Michael J. Link ◽  
Scott L. Stafford ◽  
Paul J. Park ◽  
Bruce E. Pollock
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Large Volume ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Skull Base Tumors ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Average Tumor Volume ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Skull Base Meningiomas ◽  
Supratentorial Tumors

Object Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for many patients with intracranial meningiomas. Nevertheless, the morbidity associated with radiosurgery of larger meningiomas is poorly understood. Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of 116 patients who underwent SRS for meningiomas (WHO Grade I) > 10 cm3 between 1990 and 2007, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Patients with atypical or malignant meningiomas and those who received prior radiotherapy were excluded. The average tumor volume was 17.5 cm3 (range 10.1–48.6 cm3); the average tumor margin dose was 15.1 Gy (range 12–18 Gy); and the mean follow-up duration was 70.1 months (range 12–199 months). Results Tumor control was 99% at 3 years and 92% at 7 years after radiosurgery. Thirty complications after radiosurgery were noted in 27 patients (23%), including 7 cases of seizures, 6 cases of hemiparesis, 5 cases of trigeminal injury, 4 cases of headaches, 3 cases of diplopia, 2 cases each of cerebral infarction and ataxia, and 1 case of hearing loss. Patients with supratentorial tumors experienced a higher complication rate compared with patients with skull base tumors (44% compared with 18%) (hazard ratio 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.7, p = 0.01). Conclusions The morbidity associated with SRS for patients with benign meningiomas > 10 cm3 is greater for supratentorial tumors compared with skull base tumors. Whereas radiosurgery is relatively safe for patients with large-volume skull base meningiomas, resection should remain the primary disease management for the majority of patients with large-volume supratentorial meningiomas.

Intraoperative Vagal Nerve Monitoring

1996 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. 489-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Leonetti ◽  
W. Scott Jellish ◽  
Patricia Warf ◽  
Elizabeth Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Vocal Cord ◽  
Infratemporal Fossa ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Vagal Nerve ◽  
Malignant Neoplasms ◽  
Nerve Monitoring ◽  
Lateral Skull Base ◽  
Vagal Nerves ◽  
Functional Preservation

A variety of benign and malignant neoplasms occur in the superior cervical neck, parapharyngeal space or the infratemporal fossa. The surgical resection of these lesions may result in postoperative iatrogenic injury to the vagus nerve with associated dysfunctional swallowing and airway protection. Anatomic and functional preservation of this critical cranial nerve will contribute to a favorable surgical outcome. Fourteen patients with tumors of the cervical neck or adjacent skull base underwent intraoperative vagal nerve monitoring in an attempt to preserve neural integrity following tumor removal. Of the 11 patients with anatomically preserved vagal nerves in this group, seven patients had normal vocal cord mobility following surgery and all 11 patients demonstrated normal vocal cord movement by six months. In an earlier series of 23 patients with tumors in the same region who underwent tumor resection without vagal nerve monitoring, 18 patients had anatomically preserved vagal nerves. Within this group, five patients had normal vocal cord movement at one month and 13 patients demonstrated normal vocal cord movement at six months. This paper will outline a technique for intraoperative vagal nerve monitoring utilizing transcricothyroid membrane placement of bipolar hook-wire electrodes in the vocalis muscle. Our results with the surgical treatment of cervical neck and lateral skull base tumors for patients with unmonitored and monitored vagal nerves will be outlined.

Factors affecting outcome following treatment of patients with cavernous sinus meningiomas

2010 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 1087-1092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Sughrue ◽  
Martin J. Rutkowski ◽  
Derick Aranda ◽  
Igor J. Barani ◽  
Michael W. McDermott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Postoperative Radiotherapy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Extent Of Resection ◽  
Gross Total Resection ◽  
Cranial Neuropathy ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Total Resection

Object Although there is a considerable volume of literature available on the treatment of patients with cavernous sinus meningiomas (CSMs), most of the data regarding tumor control and survival come from case studies or single-institution series. The authors performed a meta-analysis of reported tumor control and survival rates of patients described in the published literature, with an emphasis on specific prognostic factors. Methods The authors systematically analyzed the published literature and found more than 3000 patients treated for CSMs. Separate meta-analyses were performed to calculate pooled rates of recurrence and cranial neuropathy after 1) gross-total resection, 2) subtotal resection without adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy or radiosurgery, and 3) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone. Results were expressed as pooled proportions, and random-effects models were used to incorporate any heterogeneity present to generate a pooled proportion. Individual studies were weighted using the inverse variance method, and 95% CIs for each group were calculated from the pooled proportions. Results A total of 2065 nonduplicated patients treated for CSM met inclusion criteria for the analysis. Comparisons of the 95% CIs for recurrence of these 3 cohorts revealed that SRS-treated patients experienced improved rates of recurrence (3.2% [95% CI 1.9–4.5%]) compared with either gross-total resection (11.8% [95% CI 7.4–16.1%]) or subtotal resection alone (11.1% [95% CI 6.6–15.7%]) (p < 0.01). The authors found that the pooled mixed-effects rate of cranial neuropathy was markedly higher in patients undergoing resection (59.6% [95% CI 50.3–67.5%]) than for those undergoing SRS alone (25.7% [95% CI 11.5–38.9%]) (p < 0.05). Conclusions Radiosurgery provided improved rates of tumor control compared with surgery alone, regardless of the subjective extent of resection.

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