Comparative Analysis of Surgical Exposure among Endoscopic Endonasal Approaches to Petrosectomy: An Experimental Study in Cadavers

Objectives Endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) for petrosectomies are evolving to reduce perioperative brain injuries and complications. Surgical terminology, techniques, landmarks, advantages, and limitations of these approaches remain ill defined. We quantitatively analyzed the anatomical relationships and differences between EEA exposures for medial, inferior, and inferomedial petrosectomies. Design This study presents anatomical dissection and quantitative analysis. Setting Cadaveric heads were used for dissection. EEAs were performed using the medial petrosectomy (MP), the inferior petrosectomy (IP), and the inferomedial petrosectomy (IMP) techniques. Participants Six cadaver heads (12 sides, total) were dissected; each technique was performed on four sides. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes included the area of exposure, visible distances, angles of attack, and bone resection volume. Results The IMP technique provided a greater area of exposure (p < 0.01) and bone resection volume (p < 0.01) when compared with the MP and IP techniques. The IMP technique had a longer working length of the abducens nerve (cranial nerve [CN] VI) than the MP technique (p < 0.01). The IMP technique demonstrated higher angles of attack to specific neurovascular structures when compared with the MP (midpons [p = 0.04], anterior inferior cerebellar artery [p < 0.01], proximal part of the cisternal CN VI segment [p = 0.02]) and IP (flocculus [p = 0.02] and the proximal [p = 0.02] and distal parts [p = 0.02] of the CN VII/VIII complex) techniques. Conclusion Each of these approaches offers varying degrees of access to the petroclival region, and the surgical approach should be appropriately tailored to the pathology. Overall, the IMP technique provides greater EEA surgical exposure to vital neurovascular structures than the MP and the IP techniques.

Falcotentorial meningiomas: Optimal surgical planning and intraoperative challenges – case report

Meningiomas arising from the falcotentorial junction are rare, and the selection of the optimal surgical approach is essential. We report a 41-year-old man presented with progressive left paresis in the lower limbs. An MRI showed a solid mass inside the third ventricle in contact with the falcotentorial dural junction. The tumor was removed by the transtentorial/transfalcine occipital approach, performed with the patient in the three-quarter prone position. The tumor was devascularized from the tentorium, then debulked and finally dissected. The affected falx and tentorium were resected, but all of patent dural venous sinuses were preserved. The tumor was a subtotal resect. Choosing the surgical approach is essential for the safe and effective removal of an FTM and preoperative imaging analysis should identify the tumor’s anatomical relations and guide toward the least disruptive route that preserves the neurovascular structures. This article aims to report a successfully treated FTM.

ROLE OF ACCESS OSTEOTOMY IN HEAD AND NECK LESIONS – A REVIEW

The surgical resection of the head and neck lesions summarizes the principles, classifications, applications, complications, and post-operative care of osteotomy with the standard protocols performed safely. It often poses a great surgical challenge due to the anatomical complexity, difficulty in accessibility, and proximity of vital structures. A multidisciplinary approach is often required in these situations for their better exposure to provide surgical access. Access osteotomy is the choice and type for these head and neck lesions, which are most often based on the anatomic extent of the lesion, vascularity of the lesion, and involvement of neurovascular structures in and around it. The literature search using Medline from the year 1986 to 2019 were performed and textbooks were also collected by hand search from the same period. The role of aggressive surgical resection has not been established for malignant head and neck lesions with the technical feasibility and its efficacy for specific tumor types must be defined by the future studies. Thus, we would like to conclude that access osteotomy allows the surgeon a better view and an access of the surgical field to resect the tumor completely with safer margins, preserving the vital structures, pre-operative functions, and reducing post-operative complications.

Vascular pectoralis minor syndrome as an overlooked condition: A case report

Thoracic outlet syndrome is characterized by pain, paresthesia, muscle weakness, and arterial/venous symptoms caused by compression of the neurovascular structures. Compression mainly occurs at three distinct areas in the thoracic outlet: the retropectoralis minor space, the costoclavicular space, and the interscalene triangle. As the symptoms of these three compression sites are very similar, it is difficult to pinpoint the location of the compression and the treatment methods are quite different. Ultrasound-guided diagnostic injections play an important role in the differential diagnosis. Herein, we report a 49-year-old female patient who was previously diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and scheduled for decompression of cervical ribs, but cured by conservative methods after being diagnosed with pectoralis minor syndrome.

An unusual presentation of “Mirror-Image” bilateral giant carotid cavernous aneurysms: Case report and review of the literature

The almost asymptomatic “mirror-image” bilateral giant intracavernous carotid artery aneurysms are not common and its successful conservative management without further neurological complications is rarely reported. We report a case of a 64-year-old woman, admitted with a rapidly progressive headache, with no other signs or symptoms associated. The Head CT-Scan shows bilateral parasellar round hyperdense lesions and the Magnetic resonance angiography discloses bilateral giant intracavernous carotid artery aneurysms in detail. The clinical presentation of these types of lesions depends on their mass effect on the surrounding neurovascular structures. So, possibly no mass effect on any structure, then no obvious expected symptoms. A patient with these conditions and without neurological deficit should not be rushed to surgery or endovascular treatment.

Quantitative Prediction of the Location of Carotid Bifurcation and Neurovascular Structures in the Carotid Region: A Cross-Sectional Cadaveric Study

Introduction. The carotid region is encountered in vascular and neurological surgery and carries a potential for vascular and cranial nerve trauma. The carotid bifurcation is an especially important landmark and difficult to predict based on currently established landmarks. This study is a detailed analysis of the carotid region and proposes a novel methodology to predict the height of the bifurcation. Materials and Methods. Superficial and deep dissections were performed on the anterior triangle of the neck to expose the carotid region in twenty-one formalin-fixed donor cadavers. Musculoskeletal and neurovascular structures were assessed in relation to the carotid bifurcation and the medial border of the clavicle (MBC). Results. The carotid bifurcation occurred, on average, 11.4 mm higher on the left ( p < 0.001 ; 95% CI: 9.28, 13.54). The superior thyroid artery ( p < 0.001 ), facial vein ( p < 0.001 ), and cranial nerve XII ( p < 0.001 ) were all more distal on the left side when measured from the MBC while the angle of the mandible and stylohyoid muscle remained symmetric. Left- and right-sided vascular structures were symmetric when measured from the carotid bifurcation. Conclusions. Neurovascular structures within the carotid region are likely to be anatomically superior on the left side while vessels are likely to remain symmetric in relation to the carotid bifurcation. When measured from the MBC, the bifurcation height can be predicted by multiplying the distance between the MBC and mastoid process by 0.65 (right side) or 0.74 (left side). This novel methodological estimation may be easily learned and directly implemented in clinical practice.

Endoscopic Cervical Lymph Node Dissection Using the Extra-cervical Anterior Chest Wall Approach: A New Technique

Introduction This study aims to demonstrate the safety, surgical feasibility, and esthetic features of total endoscopic neck dissection (END) through anterior chest wall approach (ACWA) without creation of any neck incisions. Resection of their primary tumors followed by selective total END through ACWA using 3 ports (one 10-mm port for the camera and two 5-mm ports for the working instruments). Methods From January 2020 to August 2020, 6 patients with a biopsy proven head and neck carcinoma underwent resection of their primary tumors followed by selective total END through ACWA using 3 ports (one 10-mm port for the camera and two 5-mm ports for the working instruments). Results The selective neck dissection was successfully performed endoscopically in all cases with no conversion to open approach and with good visualization of the major neurovascular structures. The operative time for the END ranged from 120 to 170 minutes, with 10–50 mL estimated blood loss. No significant perioperative complications were encountered. The mean total number of cervical LN retrieved was 13.67 + 2.42, and the mean LNR was .01 + .13. All patients were discharged in the third postoperative day, and they were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome. Conclusion Selective total END through ACWA is technically feasible and safe with satisfactory cosmetic results. The absence of neck scars and magnification of the important neurovascular structures are the most obvious advantages of this innovative technique. It may be a valid alternative to conventional surgery when performed in selected patients. However, further research with longer follow up is needed to clarify the oncological safety and the real benefits of END in head and neck cancer patients.

Management of Lower Limb Soft Tissue Sarcomas with Major Neurovascular Involvement: Current and Future Perspectives

Lower limb soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare mesenchymal tumours that may grow in close anatomical proximity to major neurovascular structures, leading to significant oncological and surgical challenges for treating physicians. This article reviews the current literature on the multidisciplinary approach of treating lower limb soft tissue sarcomas with neurovascular involvement and describes the increasing shift towards limb-sparing surgeries, with an emphasis on improved functional outcomes based on a multimodal treatment approach. In addition to identifying the histological subtype of the tumour, classifying the neurovascular involvement precisely is key in planning the appropriate treatment. Existing classification systems for both vascular and neural involvement are discussed, and a combined neurovascular classification is proposed together with a general treatment algorithm.

Minimally invasive removal of deep contraceptive implants under continuous ultrasound guidance is effective, quick, and safe

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, performance, and complications of a non-surgical, minimally-invasive procedure of deep contraceptive implant removal under continuous ultrasound guidance. Methods The ultrasound-guided procedure consisted of local anesthesia using lidocaine chlorhydrate 1% (10 mg/mL) with a 21-G needle, followed by hydrodissection using NaCl 0.9% (9 mg/mL) and implant extraction using a Hartmann grasping microforceps. The parameters studied were the implant localization, success and complication rates, pain throughout the intervention, volumes of lidocaïne and NaCl used, duration of the procedure, and size of the incision. Between November 2019 and January 2021, 45 patients were referred to the musculoskeletal radiology department for ultrasound-guided removal of a deep contraceptive implant and were all retrospectively included. Results All implants were successfully removed en bloc (100%). The mean incision size was 2.7 ± 0.5 mm. The mean duration of the extraction procedure was 7.7 ± 6.3 min. There were no major complications (infection, nerve, or vessel damage). As a minor complication, 21 patients (46.7%) reported a benign superficial skin ecchymosis at the puncture site, spontaneously regressing in less than 1 week. The procedure was very well-tolerated, with low pain rating throughout (1.0 ± 1.5/10 during implant extraction). Conclusions Minimally invasive removal of deep contraceptive implants under continuous ultrasound guidance alone is feasible, effective, and safe. In the present cohort, all implants were successfully removed, whatever the location, with short procedural time, small incision size, low pain levels, and no significant complications. This procedure could become a gold standard in this indication. Key Points • Minimally invasive removal of deep contraceptive implants under continuous ultrasound guidance alone is feasible, which led to a success rate of 100% whatever the location (even close to neurovascular structures), with only a small skin incision (2.7 ± 0.5 mm). • The procedure was safe, quick, without any major complications, and very well tolerated in terms of pain. • This minimally invasive ultrasound-guided procedure could become the future gold standard for the removal of deep contraceptive implants, as an alternative to surgical extraction, even for implants in difficult locations such as subfascial ones or those close to neurovascular structures.