Late course of preserved hearing and tinnitus after acoustic neurilemoma surgery

1992 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 685-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul Goel ◽  
Laligam N. Sekhar ◽  
Walter Langheinrich ◽  
Donald Kamerer ◽  
Barry Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Internal Auditory Canal ◽  
Cochlear Nerve ◽  
Nerve Section ◽  
Preoperative Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Better Than

✓ The late course of preserved hearing and tinnitus following retrosigmoid transmeatal surgery for acoustic neurilemoma is reported. Over a period of 5 years, useful hearing was preserved in 15 patients after preservation was attempted in 42 patients. In five patients the hearing was better than the preoperative level; in three it was worse. Three patients developed delayed worsening and fluctuations of hearing in the surgically treated ear during a median follow-up period of 2½ years. While the exact reason for such worsening was not clear in two patients, in one patient it appeared that the muscle graft placed in the internal auditory canal after tumor resection resulted in fibrosis and compromise of the cochlear nerve. The causes of delayed worsening of hearing in the absence of tumor recurrence are analyzed, and possible treatment and methods of prevention of worsening are suggested. In six patients, tinnitus persisted after surgery in the ear with successful preservation of hearing, but hearing was not worsened and the tinnitus was not bothersome to the patient. In one patient with preoperative tinnitus, hearing was not preserved and tinnitus persisted sufficiently to necessitate re-exploration and cochlear nerve section.

Preservation of hearing in patients undergoing excision of acoustic neuromas and other cerebellopontine angle tumors

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles H. Tator ◽  
Julian M. Nedzelski
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Size ◽  
Cerebellopontine Angle ◽  
Internal Auditory Canal ◽  
Hearing Preservation ◽  
Cochlear Nerve ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acoustic Neuromas ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Microsurgical techniques have made it possible to identify and preserve the cochlear nerve from its origin at the brain stem and along its course through the internal auditory canal in patients undergoing removal of small or medium-sized acoustic neuromas or other cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors. In a consecutive series of 100 patients with such tumors operated on between 1975 and 1981, an attempt was made to preserve the cochlear nerve in 23. The decision to attempt to preserve hearing was based on tumor size and the degree of associated hearing loss. In cases of unilateral acoustic neuroma, the criteria for attempted preservation of hearing were tumor size (2.5 cm or less), speech reception threshold (50 dB or less), and speech discrimination score (60% or greater). In patients with bilateral acoustic neuromas or tumors of other types, the size and hearing criteria were significantly broadened. All patients were operated on through a suboccipital approach. Hearing was preserved postoperatively in six (31.6%) of the 19 patients with unilateral acoustic neuromas, although the cochlear nerve was preserved in 16. Of the six patients with postoperative hearing, three retained excellent hearing, and the other three had only sound awareness and poor discrimination. Hearing was preserved in three cases with other CPA tumors, including an epidermoid cyst and small petrous meningiomas in the internal auditory canal. Of the two cases with bilateral tumors, hearing was preserved in one. Of the 23 patients in whom hearing preservation was attempted, nine (39.1%) had some postoperative hearing, which in six was equal to or better than the preoperative level. Thus, it is worthwhile to attempt hearing preservation in selected patients with CPA tumors.

Chemotherapy as an adjunct in the initial management of cerebellar medulloblastomas

1979 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 721-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan L. Venes ◽  
Sue McIntosh ◽  
Richard T. O'Brien ◽  
Allen D. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Initial Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cerebellar Medulloblastoma ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Eight consecutive children with biopsy-proven cerebellar medulloblastoma were treated with a combination of whole neuraxis radiation and prolonged chemotherapy using vincristine and cyclophosphamide. There was no evidence of tumor recurrence in the follow-up period, which ranged from 16 months to 7 years and 8 months following diagnosis. Morbidity associated with this regimen has been infrequent and easily reversible.

Intramedullary ependymoma of the spinal cord

1990 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul C. McCormick ◽  
Roland Torres ◽  
Kalmon D. Post ◽  
Bennett M. Stein
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Intramedullary Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

✓ A consecutive series of 23 patients underwent operative removal of an intramedullary spinal cord ependymoma between January, 1976, and September, 1988. Thirteen women and 10 men between the age of 19 and 70 years experienced symptoms for a mean of 34 months preceding initial diagnosis. Eight patients had undergone treatment prior to tumor recurrence and referral. Mild neurological deficits were present in 22 patients on initial examination. The location of the tumors was predominantly cervical or cervicothoracic. Radiological evaluation revealed a wide spinal cord in all cases. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was the single most important radiological procedure. At operation, a complete removal was achieved in all patients. No patient received postoperative radiation therapy. Histological examination revealed a benign ependymoma in all cases. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 159 months (mean 62 months) with seven patients followed for a minimum of 10 years after surgery. Fourteen patients underwent postoperative MR imaging at intervals ranging from 8 months to 10 years postoperatively. No patient has been lost to follow-up review and there were no deaths. No patient showed definite clinical or radiological evidence of tumor recurrence during the follow-up period. Recent neurological evaluation revealed functional improvement from initial preoperative clinical status in eight patients, no significant change in 12 patients, and deterioration in three patients. The data support the belief that long-term disease-free control of intramedullary spinal ependymomas with acceptable morbidity may be achieved utilizing microsurgical removal alone.

Correlation between auditory function and internal auditory canal pressure in patients with vestibular schwannomas

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 872-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir B. Lapsiwala ◽  
G. Mark Pyle ◽  
Ann W. Kaemmerle ◽  
Frank J. Sasse ◽  
Behnam Badie
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Size ◽  
Internal Auditory Canal ◽  
Auditory Evoked Potential ◽  
Cochlear Nerve ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vascular Compromise ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Hearing loss is the most common presenting symptom in patients who harbor a vestibular schwannoma (VS). Although mechanical injury to the cochlear nerve and vascular compromise of the auditory apparatus have been proposed, the exact mechanism of this hearing loss remains unclear. To test whether pressure on the cochlear nerve from tumor growth in the internal auditory canal (IAC) is responsible for this clinical finding, the authors prospectively evaluated intracanalicular pressure (ICaP) in patients with VS and correlated this with preoperative brainstem response. Methods. In 40 consecutive patients undergoing a retrosigmoid—transmeatal approach for tumor excision, ICaP was measured by inserting a pressure microsensor into the IAC before any tumor manipulation. Pressure recordings were correlated with tumor size and preoperative auditory evoked potential (AEP) recordings. The ICaP, which varied widely among patients (range 0–45 mm Hg), was significantly elevated in most patients (median 16 mm Hg). Although these pressure measurements directly correlated to the extension of tumor into the IAC (p = 0.001), they did not correlate to total tumor size (p = 0.2). In 20 patients in whom baseline AEP recordings were available, the ICaP directly correlated to wave V latency (p = 0.0001), suggesting that pressure from tumor growth in the IAC may be responsible for hearing loss in these patients. Conclusions. Tumor growth into the IAC results in elevation of ICaP and may play a role in hearing loss in patients with VS. The relevance of these findings to the surgical treatment of these tumors is discussed.

Evaluation of a new concept for the management of skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (Special_Supplement) ◽  
pp. 165-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guenther Christian Feigl ◽  
Otto Bundschuh ◽  
Alireza Gharabaghi ◽  
Sam Safavi-Abassi ◽  
Amr El Shawarby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Volume Reduction ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Tumor Volume Reduction ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base are rare locally invasive tumors associated with high recurrence rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concept of microsurgical tumor volume reduction followed by early gamma knife surgery (GKS). Methods. Thirteen patients with 15 tumors were treated between October 2000 and June 2003. There were three patients (23.1%) with chordomas and 10 (76.9%) with chondrosarcomas. There were nine men and four women who ranged in age between 19 and 69 years. All patients first underwent maximal tumor resection. Within 2 to 10 months after surgery they were treated with GKS. The mean postoperative tumor volume treated with GKS was 9.7 cm3 (range 1.4–20.3 cm3). Follow-up computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations with volumetric tumor analysis were performed every 6 months after GKS. The mean treatment dose was 17 Gy and the mean isodose was 52%. The mean follow-up duration was 17 months during which there was only one tumor recurrence at the margin of the radiation field. The mean volume reduction was 35.4%. Conclusions. Results of this treatment strategy are encouraging but the efficacy of this multimodal treatment combining surgery and early GKS requires a longer follow up.

Operative management of selected brachial plexus lesions

1983 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 631-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Kline ◽  
Donald J. Judice
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Operative Management ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Benign Tumors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lower Trunk ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Better Than

✓ A 12-year operative experience with 171 consecutive patients with severe brachial plexus lesions who had at least 1½ years of follow-up review is analyzed. Selection for and timing of operation was helped by categorization of each individual plexus element as “completely” or “incompletely” injured and as “in continuity” or “not in continuity.” Results for each element could be given a single grade by a system which defined that element's proximal and distal input. For most lesions in continuity, an operative delay of several months is advocated so that intraoperative electrical evaluation can be used. Thus, in 282 gunshot wounded and stretch-injured elements of which 210 were thought to be clinically complete, 63 were spared resection because of nerve action potentials (NAP's) found at intraoperative testing, and 57 recovered function with only neurolysis. Elements resected (120) were confirmed as neurotmetic both by intraoperative electrical and subsequent histological studies. Acceptable results were achieved in 16 of 24 sutures, in 43 of 89 grafts, and in each of seven split repairs. Upper trunk and lateral and posterior cord elements fared better than lower trunk and medial cord lesions unless the latter were shown, with evidence of NAP's, to be regenerating and could be spared resection. Some stretched elements could, however, not be repaired, even though an attempt was made to exclude such cases from operation. Lacerations to the brachial plexus where continuity is lost are best repaired primarily if the injury is sharp; in this series, 14 of 18 elements having such repair recovered, whereas in 37 elements with secondary repair, grafts were often necessary and only 50% recovered function. Although associated with skin lacerations, 17 elements with complete loss were in continuity, and six of these were shown to be regenerating and were not resected. Despite intraneural location, large size, and prior operation, many benign tumors (including neurofibromas) can be removed without significant loss by use of the surgical loupes or microscope and repetitive NAP recording. Surgery for selected brachial plexus lesions is worthwhile.

Posterior subtemporal transtentorial approach to intraparenchymal lesions of the anteromedial region of the superior cerebellum

2005 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 783-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M. Ammerman ◽  
Russell R. Lonser ◽  
Edward H. Oldfield
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Resection ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surgical Access ◽  
Operative Findings ◽  
Transtentorial Approach ◽  
Complete Tumor ◽  
Fine Print

Object. To overcome the limitations associated with surgical approaches that have been described for accessing intraparenchymal lesions of the anteromedial region of the superior cerebellum, the authors used a posterior subtemporal transtentorial approach to remove tumors in this region. In this paper they describe the surgical technique that they used as well as the operative findings and clinical outcomes observed in patients who underwent resection of tumors in the anteromedial superior cerebellum. Methods. The consecutive patients with anteromedial superior cerebellar tumors who underwent resection performed using the posterior subtemporal transtentorial approach at the National Institutes of Health were included in this study. Clinical, neuroimaging, and operative results were analyzed. Three patients (two men and one woman) with anteromedial superior cerebellar tumors (two hemangioblastomas and one pilocytic astrocytoma) underwent resection via this approach. All the tumors were larger than 3 cm in diameter (range 3.1–3.5 cm). This approach provided excellent surgical access and permitted complete tumor resection in each case. The patients remained neurologically unchanged compared with preoperative baseline findings at the last follow-up examination (conducted at 4, 18, and 42 months postoperatively). One patient displayed a mild transient confusion immediately after surgery, but it resolved within 6 days. Conclusions. The posterior subtemporal transtentorial approach provides excellent access to the anteromedial superior cerebellar region. This approach permits resection of large lesions in this location, while avoiding many of the limitations associated with other approaches to this site.

Adult intramedullary spinal cord ependymomas: the result of surgery in 38 patients

1993 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred J. Epstein ◽  
Jean-Pierre Farmer ◽  
Diana Freed
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Intramedullary Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Postoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Significant Disability ◽  
Surgical Adjunct ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Thirty-eight patients underwent surgery for an intramedullary spinal cord ependymoma. In 37 patients, postoperative magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that the tumor was totally removed. The morbidity of surgery was directly related to the preoperative neurological condition. Patients who were normal or nearly normal preoperatively were rarely worse after surgery, and those who had significant disability preoperatively were at greatest risk of being more impaired after surgery. There has been no tumor recurrence in any patient after a mean follow-up period of 24 months, and radiation therapy has not been employed as a surgical adjunct.

Postoperative surveillance imaging in children with cerebellar astrocytomas

1996 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 721-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie N. Sutton ◽  
Avital Cnaan ◽  
Laura Klatt ◽  
H. Zhao ◽  
Robert Zimmerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Residual Tumor ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surveillance Imaging ◽  
Follow Up Care ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The standard follow-up care for children with cerebellar astrocytomas includes regular surveillance imaging of the brain with computerized tomography or magnetic resonance. The purpose of surveillance imaging is to detect asymptomatic tumor recurrence at an early stage and permit safer reoperation. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of an intensive surveillance program for cerebellar astrocytoma and tested different models of surveillance frequency and duration to arrive at a specific recommended program. Review of the records of 93 children with typical cerebellar astrocytomas who received follow-up care between 1975 and 1993 was performed. Immediate postoperative and surveillance images were classified as showing definite, equivocal, or no tumor based on the radiology report at the time the image was obtained. Various surveillance models were then tested for their predictive value for detecting tumor recurrence. Seventeen (18%) of the 93 children had tumor recurrence or progression. Eleven of these tumors were asymptomatic and detected only by surveillance image. Tumor recurred in only one patient with a total resection, whereas tumor progression occurred in five of 21 patients with equivocal postoperative images and in 11 of 14 patients with residual tumor. A model in which patients with possible or definite residual tumor after surgery undergo surveillance at 12, 18, 30, 42, and 66 months, and later have one additional image, yielded optimum predictive value for recurrence and/or progression with the fewest images. Patients with tumor recurrence were satisfactorily treated, and only one patient died. Children with totally resected cerebellar astrocytomas do not appear to benefit from routine surveillance, because the likelihood of recurrence is small. Surveillance is of benefit in those who may have subtotal resection based on the immediate postoperative imaging.

Spinal meningeal melanocytoma

2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuncer Turhan ◽  
Kazim Oner ◽  
Taskin Yurtseven ◽  
Taner Akalin ◽  
Izzet Ovul
Keyword(s):  
Solid Tumor ◽  
Neurological Deficit ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Total Excision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Meningeal Melanocytoma ◽  
Radiological Examinations ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors report on two patients with spinal meningeal melanocytoma and review the literature on this lesion. One case is particularly interesting because of the lesion's thoracic intramedullary localization. Meningeal melanocytoma is a benign but locally aggressive lesion and is very rarely associated with spinal localizations. This patient presented with paraparesis. Clinical and radiological examinations suggested the possibility of an intramedullary solid tumor. Thoracic laminectomy, posterior myelotomy, and tumor resection were performed; the mass was totally removed. The patient suffered no additional neurological deficit. During a 3-year follow-up period in which radiotherapy was not performed, the lesion did not recur. Total excision of the tumor is the best therapeutic option.

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