Outcome Comparison of Endoscopic (Endonasal Trans-Sphenoidal) Repairs of CSF Leak vs. Transcranial Approach

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of Endoscopic (endonasal transsphenoidal) repair of CSF leak with transcranial approach in terms of post-operative complications. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Total of 40 patients diagnosed according to inclusion criteria were enrolled and were divided into two groups. One group was treated with endonasal trans-sphenoidal repair, and another was treated with a trans-cranial approach. All patients were followed for 1 year. RESULTS: The mean age of enrolled patients was 35.4±11.6 years. There were 62.5% male and 37.5% female. In the endoscopic group the recurrence rate was observed in 3 (15%) of the patients while in the trans-cranial group the recurrence rate was observed in 2 (10%) of the patients. The overall recurrence and success rate was 8% and 92% respectively. About 4 patients developed an infection, which was treated successfully. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the endoscopic approach is safe and effective. The endoscopic approach should be considered as standard procedure for treatment.

Granular Cell Tumor and Spindle Cell Oncocytoma of the Pituitary Gland: Imaging and Intraoperative Cytology Diagnostic Dilemmas and Management Challenges

Background Tumors arising from the posterior pituitary gland are rare and closely resemble pituitary adenoma in presentation and imaging. Most of them come as a histopathologic surprise. We have analyzed the posterior pituitary tumors managed in our institute and have discussed the dilemmas in imaging, challenges in intraoperative squash cytology, and surgical management. Methods We retrospectively reviewed our operative database of pituitary tumors over the past 10 years, which included five posterior pituitary tumors (three granular cell tumors [GCTs] and two spindle cell oncocytomas [SCOs]). Clinical, imaging, and endocrine characteristics; intraoperative details; histopathologic features; and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results The mean age of the patients was 47 years. All patients presented with varying degrees of vision loss. Radiology revealed a sellar / suprasellar lesion with the pituitary gland seen separately in two of three GCTs, whereas a separate pituitary gland could not be identified in both the SCOs. Pituitary adenoma was a radiologic diagnosis in only two of five cases. Three patients underwent a transsphenoidal surgery, whereas two underwent surgery by the transcranial approach. Intraoperative cytology was challenging, though a possibility of posterior pituitary tumor was considered in three of four cases, whereas one was considered meningioma. All the tumors were very vascular and influenced the extent of resection. Conclusions GCTs and SCOs are relatively uncommon tumors that are difficult to diagnose on preoperative imaging. Intraoperative squash cytology too can pose challenges. A preoperative suspicion can prepare the surgeon for surgery of these hypervascular tumors. The transcranial approach may be necessary in cases of uncertainty in imaging.

Transcranial approaches for pituitary adenomas: current indications and clinical and radiological outcomes

Background The indications of transcranial approaches for pituitary adenomas have declined in the last decades with the widespread performance of endoscopic transsphenoidal approaches. The aim of the study was to review the current indications of transcranial approaches for pituitary adenomas and to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome following these approaches. Patients and methods This study included 16 patients with fresh, residual, or recurrent pituitary adenomas operated upon by transcranial approaches alone or in combination with transsphenoidal approaches. The indication to perform a transcranial approach was reviewed for each patient. Postoperative clinical outcome and the extent of tumor resection were assessed. Results The indications of transcranial approaches were significant parasellar and/or anterior fossa extensions in 6 patients, failed previous transsphenoidal surgery in 3 patients, giant adenoma extending into the third ventricle in 3 patients, dumbbell-shaped adenoma in 2 patients, and doubtful diagnosis in 2 patients. Two patients with invasive giant adenomas were operated upon by a combined approach. There was a single mortality. Permanent complications included visual loss in one patient, third nerve palsy in one patient, hypopituitarism in two patients, and permanent diabetes insipidus in two patients. Gross total resection was achieved in one patient, subtotal resection in seven patients, and partial resection in eight patients. Conclusion Transcranial approaches are still needed for some complex pituitary adenomas particularly giant tumors with significant lateral, anterior, or superior extensions, tumors with fibrous consistency particularly after failure of transsphenoidal approach, and dumbbell-shaped tumors with severe constriction at the diaphragm.

Compare the Outcome of Endoscopic Endonasal versus Transcranial Approach for Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the outcome of endoscopic endonasal verus transcranial approach for cerebrospinal fluid leak repair. Study Design: Comparative study Place and Duration: Conducted at department of Neurosurgery, Mardan Medical Complex/ Bacha Khan Medical College, Mardan during the period from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2021. Methods: Total eighty patients of both genders were presented in this study. Patients were aged between 20-65 years. Patients’ detailed demographics age, sex and body mass were recorded after taking written consent. Patients had CSF leaks and the history of CSF leak was presented. Patients were equally divided into two groups, I and II. Group I received endonasal technique and group II received transcranial approach. All the patients underwent MRI and CT scan. Complete follow up among both groups were taken in the duration of 8 months for the assessment of efficacy. Complete data was analyzed by SPSS 24.0 version. Results: Mean age of the patients in group I was 33.08±14.90 years with mean BMI28.4±3.12 kg/m2 and in group II mean age was 31.66±4.84 years with mean BMI 27.45±1108 kg/m2. Total 50 (62.5%) patients were males (25 in each group) and 30 (37.5%) patients were females (15 in each group). In group I recurrence rate was found in 3 (7.5%) cases and in group II recurrence rate was 6 (15%). 3 (7.5%) patients in group II developed infection but no infection rate was found in the endoscopic endonasal group. Satisfaction among patients in the endonasal group was greater than that of the transcranial group. Overall efficacy rate among both groups was 71 (88.8%). Conclusion: We concluded in this study that for repair of cerebrospinal fluid leak endoscopic endonasal approach was effective and safe method as compared to transcranial approach. Minimum rate of recurrence and high rate of recovery was fund in endonasal approach. Keywords: CSF, Endoscopic endonasal, Transcranial approach, Complications, Recurrence

Post-traumatic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and Transcranial approach surgical outcomes.

Objective: To assess the outcomes of the transcranial approach in traumatic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Study Design: Descriptive study. Setting: J.P.M.C, Karachi. Period: 15-1-2017 to 17-7- 2019. Material & Method: Total of 57 patient were included. Including criteria were patient with a history of trauma, fall, assault, and delayed onset, however, patients presenting with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, brain abscess, brain space-occupying lesion, skull base surgery operated elsewhere were excluded. fasia lata, Pericranial flaps were used for the surgical repair. Data were analyzed on SPSS version 22.0. Result: Patients gone through the surgical approach having intradural repair in all patients, 25 (43.85%) patients with fasia lata graft while pericranium in 32 (56.1%) and the defect was filled with small bone pieces. In 38(66.6%) unilateral sub frontal approach was done while in 19 patients (33.3 %%) bicoronal craniotomy was carried out. All patient had dura defected, 37 patients (64.9%) had a fractured cribriform plate, 9 (15%) patient had fovea ethmoidal fracture. 30(52.63%) had right side leak, 20 had left side leak (35%), 7(12.28%) had bilateral from both nasals leakage. No reoperation was done. 93% procedure showed successfully. Conclusions: This method is effective with the low rate of morbidity in patients, it can be preferred for traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks with the injuries associated with the brain, recurrent leak cases with a success rate of > 93%

Endoscopic Endonasal versus Transcranial Optic Canal Decompression: A Morphometric, Cadaveric Study

Introduction Decompression of the optic nerve within the optic canal is indicated for compressive visual decline. The two most common approaches utilized for optic canal decompression are a medial approach with an endoscopic endonasal approach and a lateral approach with a craniotomy. Our study is a cadaveric anatomical study comparing the length and circumference of the orbit decompressed via an endoscopic endonasal approach versus a frontotemporal craniotomy. Methods Five cadaveric specimens were utilized. Predissection computed tomography (CT) scans were performed on each specimen. On each specimen, a standard frontotemporal craniotomy with anterior clinoidectomy and superolateral orbital decompression was performed on one side and an endoscopic endonasal approach with medial wall decompression was performed on the contralateral side. Post-dissection CT scans were performed. An independent radiologist provided measurements of the length (mm) and circumference (degrees) of optic canal decompression bilaterally. Results The mean length of optic canal decompression for open and endoscopic approach was 13 mm (range 12–15 mm) and 12.4 mm (range 10–16 mm), respectively. The mean circumference of decompression for open and endoscopic approaches was 252.8 degrees (range 205–280 degrees) and 124.6 degrees (range 100–163 degrees), respectively. Conclusion The endoscopic endonasal and the transcranial approaches provide a similar length of optic canal decompression, but the transcranial approach leads to greater circumferential decompression. The endoscopic endonasal approach has the benefit of being minimally invasive, though. Ultimately, the surgical approach decision should be based on the location of the pathology and the surgeon's comfort.