Surgical treatment of epidermoid cysts of the cerebellopontine angle

1996 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madjid Samii ◽  
Marcos Tatagiba ◽  
Jose Piquer ◽  
Gustavo A. Carvalho

✓ A total of 40 patients with epidermoid cysts of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) underwent surgery between 1980 and 1993. Total resection was achieved in 30 cases (75%); in 10 cases (25%) parts of the cyst capsule were left because they adhered to the brainstem and vascular structures of the CPA. One patient with very large bilateral epidermoid cysts, who underwent complete bilateral resection in one stage, died of pulmonary aspiration and infection. As of their latest clinical and radiological follow-up examinations (mean 5.7 years), 93% of the patients are able to lead useful lives. Three cases of cyst regrowth have been observed thus far. Modern radiological tools and microsurgery techniques have considerably improved the completeness of cyst resection and reduced postoperative mortality and morbidity rates; however, there still are some cases in which complete resection is impossible without producing severe neurological deficits.

1985 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchel S. Berger ◽  
Charles B. Wilson

✓ Epidermoid cysts originating in the paramedian basal cisterns of the posterior fossa are congenital lesions that grow to a large size through slow accumulation of desquamated epithelium. These lesions grow between and ultimately displace cranial nerves, vascular structures, and the brain stem, causing a long course of progressive neurological deficits. The onset of symptoms usually occurs during the fourth decade of life. Epidermoid cysts are easily diagnosed with computerized tomography scans, which characteristically show a low-density extra-axial pattern. The primary surgical objective is to decompress the mass by evacuating the cyst contents and removing nonadherent portions of the tumor capsule; portions of the capsule adherent to vital structures should be left undisturbed. Aseptic meningitis is the most common cause of postoperative morbidity, and its incidence may be minimized by intraoperative irrigation with steroids followed by systemic therapy with dexamethasone. Symptomatic recurrences that occur many years after surgery should be managed with conservative reoperation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 79 (02) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Farhoud ◽  
Wael Khedr ◽  
Hisham Aboul-Enein

Objective Epidermoid cysts are benign slowly growing tumors commonly involving the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). The aim of this study was to analyze the surgical limitations, surgical strategies, complications, and outcome of resection of these lesions. Material and Methods The clinical data and outcome of 32 cases operated for CPA epidermoid between 2007 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 42.6 months, and all patients were followed up at least for a whole year. Results There were 15 males and 17 females. The median age was 37.6 years. Headache and cranial nerves dysfunction were the most common presenting symptoms. Surgery was performed in all patients using the standard lateral suboccipital retrosigmoid approach. In three cases, microvascular decompression of an arterial loop was performed in addition to tumor excision. Total resection was accomplished in 19 out of 32 cases (59.4%), subtotal resection in 7 cases (21.9%), and only partial excision was achieved in 6 cases (18.7%). There was no recurrence or regrowth of residual tumor during the follow-up period. We had a single postoperative mortality due to postoperative pneumonia and septic shock. New cranial nerves deficits occurred in 15.6% of cases but were transient in most of them. Conclusion The favorable outcome of total resection of CPA epidermoids should always be weighed against the critical risks that accompany it especially in the presence of tight adhesions to vital neurovascular structures. The retrosigmoid approach is suitable for the resection of these tumors even if they were large in size.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian I. Ruge ◽  
Juman Tutunji ◽  
Daniel Rueß ◽  
Eren Celik ◽  
Christian Baues ◽  
...  

Abstract Background For meningiomas, complete resection is recommended as first-line treatment while stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is established for meningiomas of smaller size considered inoperable. If the patient´s medical condition or preference excludes surgery, SRS remains a treatment option. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of SRS in a cohort comprising these cases. Methods In this retrospective single-centre analysis we included patients receiving single fraction SRS either by modified LINAC or robotic guidance by Cyberknife for potentially resectable intracranial meningiomas. Treatment-related adverse events as well as local and regional control rates were determined from follow-up imaging and estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Results We analyzed 188 patients with 218 meningiomas. The median radiological, and clinical follow-up periods were 51.4 (6.2–289.6) and 55.8 (6.2–300.9) months. The median tumor volume was 4.2 ml (0.1–22), and the mean marginal radiation dose was 13.0 ± 3.1 Gy, with reference to the 80.0 ± 11.2% isodose level. Local recurrence was observed in one case (0.5%) after 239 months. The estimated 2-, 5-, 10- and 15-year regional recurrence rates were 1.5%, 3.0%, 6.6% and 6.6%, respectively. Early adverse events (≤ 6 months after SRS) occurred in 11.2% (CTCEA grade 1–2) and resolved during follow-up in 7.4% of patients, while late adverse events were documented in 14.4% (grade 1–2; one case grade 3). Adverse effects (early and late) were associated with the presence of symptoms or neurological deficits prior to SRS (p < 0.03) and correlated with the treatment volume (p < 0.02). Conclusion In this analysis SRS appears to be an effective treatment for patients with meningiomas eligible for complete resection and provides reliable long-term local tumor control with low rates of mild morbidity.


1996 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 962-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tohru Mizutani

✓ A long-term follow-up study (minimum duration 2 years) was made of 13 patients with tortuous dilated basilar arteries. Of these, five patients had symptoms related to the presence of such arteries. Symptoms present at a very early stage included vertebrobasilar insufficiency in two patients, brainstem infarction in two patients, and left hemifacial spasm in one patient. Initial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in serial slices of basilar arteries obtained from the five symptomatic patients showed an intimal flap or a subadventitial hematoma, both of which are characteristic of a dissecting aneurysm. In contrast, the basilar arteries in the eight asymptomatic patients did not show particular findings and they remained clinically and radiologically silent during the follow-up period. All of the lesions in the five symptomatic patients gradually grew to fantastic sizes, with progressive deterioration of the related clinical symptoms. Dilation of the basilar artery was consistent with hemorrhage into the “pseudolumen” within the laminated thrombus, which was confirmed by MR imaging studies. Of the five symptomatic patients studied, two died of fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and two of brainstem compression; the fifth patient remains alive without neurological deficits. In the three patients who underwent autopsy, a definite macroscopic double lumen was observed in both the proximal and distal ends of the aneurysms within the layer of the thickening intima. Microscopically, multiple mural dissections, fragmentation of internal elastic lamina (IEL), and degeneration of media were diffusely observed in the remarkably extended wall of the aneurysms. The substantial mechanism of pathogenesis and enlargement in the symptomatic, highly tortuous dilated artery might initially be macroscopic dissection within a thickening intima and subsequent repetitive hemorrhaging within a laminated thrombus in the pseudolumen combined with microscopic multiple mural dissections on the basis of a weakened IEL. The authors note and caution that symptomatic, tortuous dilated basilar arteries cannot be overlooked because they include a group of malignant arteries that may grow rapidly, resulting in a fatal course.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohana Rao Patibandla ◽  
Thomas Ridder ◽  
Kathleen Dorris ◽  
Michelle R. Torok ◽  
Arthur K. Liu ◽  
...  

OBJECT Ganglioglioma (GG) is commonly recognized as a low-grade tumor located in the temporal lobe, often presenting with seizures. Most are amenable to complete resection and are associated with excellent oncological outcome. The authors encountered several GGs in various locations, which seem to have a less favorable clinical course than GGs in the temporal lobe. METHODS The authors performed a single-center retrospective review of all children with a histological diagnosis of GG who were treated at Children’s Hospital Colorado between 1997 and 2013. Each tumor was categorized by 2 pediatric neuroradiologists as typical or atypical based on preoperative MRI appearance. Typical lesions were cortically based, within a single cerebral lobe, well-circumscribed, and solid or mixed solid/cystic. The treatment and clinical course of each patient was analyzed. RESULTS Thirty-seven children were identified, with a median age at presentation of 8.2 years and median follow-up of 38.0 months. Eighteen tumors (48.6%) were typical and 19 (51.4%) were atypical. All typical lesions presented with seizures, whereas no atypical lesions did so. Sixteen (88.9%) typical lesions were located in the temporal lobe. In the atypical group, tumor location was variable, including 11 (57.9%) in the brainstem. Death during follow-up was statistically more common in the atypical group (31.6% vs 0%, p = 0.02). Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved for 15 of 16 typical tumors (93.8%), compared with 3 atypical tumors (15.8%, p < 0.0001). Presentation with seizure or non-brainstem location were each associated with survival (p = 0.02 and 0.004, respectively). The presence of mutation in BRAF exon 15 did not differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric GG with typical imaging features is associated with excellent rates of GTR and overall survival. Atypical GG is commonly encountered, less amenable to GTR, and associated with a worse outcome. This may relate to anatomical or biological characteristics and merits further investigation.


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary W. Tye ◽  
R. Scott Graham ◽  
William C. Broaddus ◽  
Harold F. Young

Object. Bone grafts used in anterior cervical fusion (ACF) may subside postoperatively. The authors reviewed a recent series in which instrument-assisted ACF was performed to determine the degree of subsidence with respect to fusion length, use of segmental screws, and patient smoking status, age, and sex. Methods. Charts and implant records were reviewed for all 70 patients who underwent instrument-assisted ACF during a 2-year period. The procedures, grafting materials, plate types/lengths, and patient smoking status were recorded. The immediate postoperative and follow-up lateral radiographs were analyzed. The plate lengths and lengths of the fused segments were measured in a standardized fashion. The mean intraoperative and follow-up fusion segment lengths were 54.3 and 51.9 mm, respectively. Greater subsidence occurred in multilevel fusions than in single-level fusions. There were noticeable changes in the position of plates or screws on 14 of 70 follow-up x-ray films. No new neurological deficits related to graft subsidence occurred, and the reoperation rate was 3%. There was no statistical relation between subsidence and the following variables: segmental fixation, smoking status, sex, age, or dowel size when corrected for length of the plate. Hardware migration correlated significantly with plate length in cases of two- and three-level fusions. Conclusions. The length of a fusion segment decreases in the immediate weeks following instrument-assisted ACF. Construct length is the most important determinant of subsidence. When designing multilevel cervical constructs, consideration of the effects of graft subsidence may help to avoid hardware-related complications.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. E525-E527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven W. Chang ◽  
Pankaj A. Gore ◽  
Peter Nakaji ◽  
Harold L. Rekate

Abstract OBJECTIVE We report the youngest known case of a prepontine intradural chordoma. These tumors are exceedingly rare. Unlike their more common extradural counterparts, no recurrence of an intradural chordoma has been reported. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 9-year-old boy underwent diagnostic imaging for evaluation of headaches. Although neurologically intact, a magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed a large prepontine mass with focal enhancement. INTERVENTION Endoscopic-assisted gross total resection was attained with staged bilateral retrosigmoid approaches. There were no additional adjuvant therapies. At the time of the 1-year follow-up evaluation, the patient had no recurrence. CONCLUSION By using an endoscopic-assisted procedure, we achieved complete resection of an intradural chordoma offering a potential for surgical cure. Resection is particularly advantageous because it spares the young child the need for radiation treatment. Close follow-up is warranted because we postulate that this tumor exists in a biological continuum between benign notochordal hamartomatous remnants and typical invasive chordomas.


1990 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul C. McCormick ◽  
Roland Torres ◽  
Kalmon D. Post ◽  
Bennett M. Stein

✓ 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.


2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 978-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih-Lung Lin ◽  
Aaron S. Dumont ◽  
Ann-Shung Lieu ◽  
Chen-Po Yen ◽  
Shiuh-Lin Hwang ◽  
...  

Object. The reported incidence, timing, and predictive factors of perioperative seizures and epilepsy after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have differed considerably because of a lack of uniform definitions and variable follow-up periods. In this study the authors evaluate the incidence, temporal course, and predictive factors of perioperative seizures and epilepsy during long-term follow up of patients with SAH who underwent surgical treatment. Methods. Two hundred seventeen patients who survived more than 2 years after surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms were enrolled and retrospectively studied. Episodes were categorized into onset seizures (≤ 12 hours of initial hemorrhage), preoperative seizures, postoperative seizures, and late epilepsy, according to their timing. The mean follow-up time was 78.7 months (range 24–157 months). Forty-six patients (21.2%) had at least one seizure post-SAH. Seventeen patients (7.8%) had onset seizures, five (2.3%) had preoperative seizures, four (1.8%) had postoperative seizures, 21 (9.7%) had at least one seizure episode after the 1st week postoperatively, and late epilepsy developed in 15 (6.9%). One (3.8%) of 26 patients with perioperative seizures (onset, preoperative, or postoperative seizure) had late epilepsy at follow up. The mean latency between the operation and the onset of late epilepsy was 8.3 months (range 0.3–19 months). Younger age (< 40 years old), loss of consciousness of more than 1 hour at ictus, and Fisher Grade 3 or greater on computerized tomography scans proved to be significantly related to onset seizures. Onset seizure was also a significant predictor of persistent neurological deficits (Glasgow Outcome Scale Scores 2–4) at follow up. Factors associated with the development of late epilepsy were loss of consciousness of more than 1 hour at ictus and persistent postoperative neurological deficit. Conclusions. Although up to one fifth of patients experienced seizure(s) after SAH, more than half had seizure(s) during the perioperative period. The frequency of late epilepsy in patients with perioperative seizures (7.8%) was not significantly higher than those without such seizures (6.8%). Perioperative seizures did not recur frequently and were not a significant predictor for late epilepsy.


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 1217-1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Cavalheiro ◽  
Fábio Veiga de Castro Sparapani ◽  
Antonio Fernandes Moron ◽  
Marcia Cristina da Silva ◽  
João Norberto Stávale

✓ The authors present the case of a 34-week-old fetus with a meningeal hemangiopericytoma that was diagnosed in utero by using abdominal magnetic resonance imaging. After birth, the neonate underwent transfontanelle ultrasonography and computerized tomography scanning of the head, which confirmed the presence of an extradural hyperdense lesion. Six hours after birth the neonate underwent a craniotomy, which resulted in complete resection of the mass. The postoperative period was uneventful and the newborn was discharged 7 days later. At 2-year follow-up examination there was no evidence of recurrence of the lesion. The authors have found no mention in the literature of this entity diagnosed in the prenatal period.


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