Continuous electromyography monitoring of motor cranial nerves during cerebellopontine angle surgery

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 586-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Romstöck ◽  
Christian Strauss ◽  
Rudolf Fahlbusch
Keyword(s):  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cerebellopontine Angle ◽  
Operative Procedure ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Postoperative Outcome ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerve ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerves ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Electromyography (EMG) monitoring is expected to reduce the incidence of motor cranial nerve deficits in cerebellopontine angle surgery. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed analysis of intraoperative EMG phenomena with respect to their surgical significance.Methods. Using a system that continuously records facial and lower cranial nerve EMG signals during the entire operative procedure, the authors examined 30 patients undergoing surgery on acoustic neuroma (24 patients) or meningioma (six patients). Free-running EMG signals were recorded from muscles targeted by the facial, trigeminal, and lower cranial nerves, and were analyzed off-line with respect to waveform characteristics, frequencies, and amplitudes. Intraoperative measurements were correlated with typical surgical maneuvers and postoperative outcomes.Characteristic EMG discharges were obtained: spikes and bursts were recorded immediately following the direct manipulation of a dissecting instrument near the cranial nerve, but also during periods when the nerve had not yet been exposed. Bursts could be precisely attributed to contact activity. Three distinct types of trains were identified: A, B, and C trains. Whereas B and C trains are irrelevant with respect to postoperative outcome, the A train—a sinusoidal, symmetrical sequence of high-frequency and low-amplitude signals—was observed in 19 patients and could be well correlated with additional postoperative facial nerve paresis (in 18 patients).Conclusions. It could be demonstrated that the occurrence of A trains is a highly reliable predictor for postoperative facial palsy. Although some degree of functional worsening is to be expected postoperatively, there is a good chance of avoiding major deficits by warning the surgeon early. Continuous EMG monitoring is superior to electrical nerve stimulation or acoustic loudspeaker monitoring alone. The detailed analysis of EMG-waveform characteristics is able to provide more accurate warning criteria during surgery.

Operative management of tumors involving the cavernous sinus

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 879-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laligam N. Sekhar ◽  
Aage R. Møller
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Preoperative Evaluation ◽  
Operative Procedure ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Petrous Apex ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Third ◽  
Fine Print

✓ In the past, neurosurgeons have been reluctant to operate on tumors involving the cavernous sinus because of the possibility of bleeding from the venous plexus or injury to the internal carotid artery (ICA) or the third, fourth, or sixth cranial nerves. The authors describe techniques for a more aggressive surgical approach to neoplasms in this area that are either benign or locally confined malignant lesions. During the last 2 years, seven tumors involving the cavernous sinus have been resected: six totally and one subtotally. The preoperative evaluation included axial and coronal computerized tomography, cerebral angiography, and a balloon-occlusion test of the ICA. Intraoperative monitoring of the third, fourth, sixth, and seventh cranial nerves was used to assist in locating the nerves and in avoiding injury to them. The first major step in the operative procedure was to obtain proximal control of the ICA at the petrous apex and distal control in the supraclinoid segment. The cavernous sinus was then opened by a lateral, superior, or inferior approach for tumor resection. Temporary clipping and suture of the ICA was necessary in one patient. None of the patients died or suffered a stroke postoperatively. Permanent trigeminal nerve injury occurred in three patients; in two, this was the result of tumor invasion. One patient suffered temporary paralysis of the third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerves, and in another the sixth cranial nerve was temporarily paralyzed. Preoperative cranial nerve deficits were improved postoperatively in three patients. Radiation therapy was administered postoperatively to four patients. These seven patients have been followed for 6 to 18 months to date and none has shown evidence of recurrence of the intracavernous tumor.

Complex tumors of the glomus jugulare: criteria, treatment, and outcome

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 1356-1366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ossama Al-Mefty ◽  
Aramis Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Malignant Tumor ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Glomus Jugulare ◽  
Associated Lesions ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Artery ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerves ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Tumors of the glomus jugulare are benign, slow-growing paragangliomas. Their natural history, surgical treatment, and outcome have been well addressed in the recent literature; however, there remains a subgroup of complex tumors—multiple, giant, malignant, neuropeptide-secreting lesions, and those treated previously by an intervention with an adverse outcome—that is high risk, presents surgical challenges, and is associated with treatment controversy. In this article the authors report on a series of patients with complex glomus jugulare tumors and focus on treatment decisions, avoidance of complications, surgical refinements, and patient outcomes. Methods. In this retrospective study, the patient population was composed of 11 male and 32 female patients (mean age 47 years) with complex tumors of the glomus jugulare who were treated by the senior author within the past 20 years. These include 38 patients with giant tumors, 11 with multiple paragangliomas (seven bilateral and four ipsilateral), two with tumors that hypersecreted catecholamine, and one with a malignant tumor. Six patients had associated lesions: one dural arteriovenous malformation, one carotid artery (CA) aneurysm, two adrenal tumors, and two other cranial tumors. All but one patient presented with neurological deficits. Cranial nerve deficits, particularly those associated with the lower cranial nerves, were the prominent feature. Twenty-eight patients underwent resection in an attempt at total removal, and gross-total resection was achieved in 24 patients. Particularly challenging were cases in which the patient had undergone prior embolization or CA occlusion, after which new feeding vessels from the internal CA and vertebrobasilar artery circulation developed. The surgical technique was tailored to each patient and each tumor. It was modified to preserve facial nerve function, particularly in patients with bilateral tumors. Intrabulbar dissection was performed to increase the likelihood that the lower cranial nerves would be preserved. Each tumor was isolated to improve its resectability and prevent blood loss. No operative mortality occurred. In one patient hemiplegia developed postoperatively due to CA thrombosis, but the patient recovered after an endovascular injection of urokinase. In four patients a cerebrospinal fluid leak was treated through spinal drainage, and in five patients infection developed in the external ear canal. Two of these infections progressed to osteomyelitis of the temporal bone. There were two recurrences, one in a patient with a malignant tumor who eventually died of the disease. Conclusions. Despite the challenges encountered in treating complex glomus jugulare tumors, resection is indicated and successful. Multiple tumors mandate a treatment plan that addresses the risk of bilateral cranial nerve deficits. The intrabulbar dissection technique can be used with any tumor, as long as the tumor itself has not penetrated the wall of the jugular bulb or infiltrated the cranial nerves. Tumors that hypersecrete catecholamine require perioperative management and malignant tumors carry a poor prognosis.

Carotid body tumors: a subject review and suggested surgical approach

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredric B. Meyer ◽  
Thoralf M. Sundt ◽  
Bruce W. Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Body ◽  
Surgical Approach ◽  
Intraoperative Monitoring ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Surgical Results ◽  
Major Morbidity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Carotid Body Tumors ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerves ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Carotid body tumors are a rare but potentially difficult surgical entity. Their pathology, physiology, and natural history are reviewed along with surgical results reported in the literature. A surgical approach for removal of these tumors is presented which differs significantly from the recommended techniques in that emphasis is placed on intraoperative monitoring of cerebral blood flow, the selective use of shunts, a tumor-adventitial plane of dissection, preservation of the carotid artery complex, and mobilization of the parotid gland. Thirteen cases using these techniques are reviewed. The mortality rate and the incidence of cerebrovascular sequelae were both 0%. The major morbidity consisted of injury to the lower cranial nerves in five patients (39%) with tumors larger than 5 cm in length.

Transsphenoidal approach to infrasellar tumors involving the cavernous sinus

1990 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuo Hashimoto ◽  
Haruhiko Kikuchi
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Transsphenoidal Approach ◽  
Skull Base Tumors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operating Field ◽  
Cranial Nerve Palsies ◽  
Operative Complications ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors review their 2-year experience with a rhinoseptal transsphenoidal approach to skull-base tumors of various pathologies involving both the sphenoid and cavernous sinuses. Eight patients with cranial nerve palsies attributable to compression of the contents of the cavernous sinus and/or optic canal are included in this report. Among these patients, a total of 17 cranial nerves were affected. Postoperative normalization was achieved in eight nerves, significant improvement in seven nerves, and no improvement in two nerves. There were no operative complications of aggravation of cranial nerve palsies in this series. In spite of the limited operating field, the results demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of this approach. The authors recommend that this approach be considered before more aggressive surgery is undertaken.

A nerve stimulator for the cerebellopontine angle

1977 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 688-689
Author(s):  
Charles W. Morgan ◽  
Peter J. Jannetta
Keyword(s):  
Cerebellopontine Angle ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Nerve Stimulator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intracranial Surgery ◽  
Fine Print

✓ A fine-tipped bipolar nerve-stimulator probe has been developed and has proved especially useful in intracranial surgery of the cranial nerves.

scholarly journals Late Pseudo-Exacerbation of Myasthenia Gravis Due to Ectopic Thymoma Invading Lower Cranial Nerves

1990 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregg MacLean ◽  
Alan Guberman ◽  
Antonio Giulivi
Keyword(s):  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Jugular Foramen ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cervical Mass ◽  
Ectopic Thymoma ◽  
Cranial Nerve Palsies ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerves ◽  
Repeated Aspiration

ABSTRACT:Dysarthria, dysphagia and repeated aspiration in a 54-year-old woman diagnosed and treated for myasthenia gravis 7 years earlier were initially thought to represent a late exacerbation of myasthenia. A cervical mass invading the jugular foramen and causing multiple lower cranial nerve palsies was biopsied and found to represent invasive ectopic thymoma.

Complications of halo-pelvic traction

1976 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 716-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney A. Rozario ◽  
Bennett M. Stein
Keyword(s):  
Blood Supply ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Rapid Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cranial Nerve Palsies ◽  
Fine Print

✓ When halo-pelvic traction is applied at a rapid rate it may induce cranial nerve palsies. The sixth, ninth, and tenth cranial nerves appear to be the most vulnerable. A proposed etiology is the stretching of these nerves resulting in a compromised blood supply with a consequent temporary paralysis which usually improves within 8 to 10 weeks.

Immunohistochemical determination of the sympathetic pathway in the orbit via the cranial nerves in humans

2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 1037-1044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susumu Oikawa ◽  
Kyutaro Kawagishi ◽  
Kumiko Yokouchi ◽  
Nanae Fukushima ◽  
Tetsuji Moriizumi
Keyword(s):  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽  
Orbital Cavity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Neuronal Cell Bodies ◽  
Proximal Site ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the extent and precise distribution of the postganglionic sympathetic fibers in the cranial nerves projecting to the orbit and to reconstruct sympathetic routes in the orbit in humans. For this purpose, the authors made an immunohistochemical determination of the sympathetic fibers by using an antibody against norepinephrine-synthetic enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Methods. Specimens containing the orbit and the cavernous sinus were obtained from formalin-fixed human cadavers. First, it was confirmed that the superior cervical ganglion contained strongly immunostained TH-positive neuronal cell bodies and fibers. After careful dissection of the cranial nerves projecting to the orbit, different segments of each cranial nerve were processed for immunohistochemical analysis for TH. All of the intraorbital cranial nerves contained TH-positive sympathetic fibers, although the amounts were very different in each cranial nerve. At the proximal site of the common tendinous ring, TH-positive fibers were found mainly in the abducent and trochlear nerves. At the distal site of this ring, TH-positive fibers were lost or markedly reduced in number in the abducent and trochlear nerves and were distributed mostly in the ophthalmic and oculomotor nerves. Among the cranial nerves projecting to the orbit, the ophthalmic nerve and its bifurcated nerves—frontal, lacrimal, and nasociliary—contained numerous TH-positive fibers. Conclusions. The authors conclude that the postganglionic sympathetic fibers are distributed to all cranial nerves projecting to the orbit and that the ophthalmic nerve provides a major sympathetic route in the orbital cavity in humans.

Temporal bone neoplasms: a report on 20 surgically treated cases

1992 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 578-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laligam N. Sekhar ◽  
Shlomo Pomeranz ◽  
Ivo P. Janecka ◽  
Barry Hirsch ◽  
Sai Ramasastry
Keyword(s):  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Bone Neoplasms ◽  
Petrous Bone ◽  
Benign Tumors ◽  
Tumor Spread ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerve ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fast Growing ◽  
Tumor Pathology ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The surgical resection of neoplasms involving the petrous bone and surrounding areas in 20 patients is reported. Technical advances described include the total resection of several tumors previously considered inoperable due to involvement of dura and brain, petrous internal carotid artery (ICA), the vein of Labbé, and adjacent areas such as the clivus and the cavernous sinus. Areas of reconstruction after resection included the ICA, the seventh and 11th cranial nerves, and the cranial base, often requiring the use of vascularized flaps. There were no intraoperative deaths. Many patients experienced significant temporary morbidity related primarily to wound healing and to lower cranial nerve palsy; however, all but three patients (all with fast-growing malignancies) returned to their preoperative functional status. During a median follow-up period of 30 months (range 17 to 63 months), the 10 patients with benign tumors and slow-growing malignancies fared well, seven being alive and disease-free. The 10 patients with fast-growing malignancies fared poorly, only two being alive without disease. This outcome appeared to be related to tumor pathology and extent of invasion; both survivors harbored tumors confined to the petrous bone. An anatomical classification system of tumor spread is introduced, which should be considered concomitantly with tumor pathology.

Mutism after posterior fossa surgery in children

1990 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 959-963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Ferrante ◽  
Luciano Mastronardi ◽  
Michele Acqui ◽  
Aldo Fortuna
Keyword(s):  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Fourth Ventricle ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Speech Disorder ◽  
Posterior Fossa Surgery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disturbance Of Consciousness ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerves ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Three patients aged 5½ to 9 years old with mutism after posterior fossa surgery are presented. The entity is discussed with a review of 15 additional previously reported cases in children aged 2 to 11 years. In all 18 patients, a large midline tumor of the posterior fossa (medulloblastoma in nine cases, astrocytoma in five, and ependymoma in four), often attached to one or both lateral recesses of the fourth ventricle, was removed. Mutism developed 18 to 72 hours after the operation (mean 41.5 hours) in patients with no disturbance of consciousness and no deficits of the lower cranial nerves or of the organs of phonation. All of these children had spoken in the first hours after surgery. The disorder lasted from 3 to 16 weeks (mean 7.9 weeks). Speech was regained after a period of dysarthria in six of the 10 cases for whom this information was available. The various hypotheses advanced to explain the pathogenesis of this speech disorder are analyzed.

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