Managing Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea after Lateral Skull Base Surgery via Endoscopic Endonasal Eustachian Tube Closure

Background

A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, commonly presenting as rhinorrhea, is a well-recognized complication of lateral skull base surgery. Failure of conservative treatment measures in these cases necessitates surgical intervention.

Objective

Our aim is to demonstrate that endoscopic endonasal closure of the eustachian tube is a reasonable alternative to more traditional techniques for management of recalcitrant postoperative CSF rhinorrhea after removal of middle and posterior cranial fossa lesions.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who presented with CSF rhinorrhea after lateral skull base surgery at a tertiary medical center over a 17-year period, from 1997 to 2014. Nine patients managed with endoscopic endonasal closure of the eustachian tube were evaluated for preoperative hearing status, approach to lateral skull base surgery, pathology, size and location of the tumor, timing and presentation of CSF leak, methods of treatment, length of hospital stay, complications, and success of the procedure.

Results

Of the nine patients included in this review, seven were managed successfully with endoscopic endonasal eustachian tube closure. Of those seven, one required a revision procedure. Average length of postoperative stay was 5.8 days. There were no major complications. Follow up of greater than 100 months has been achieved since the first procedure.

Conclusion

Endoscopic endonasal eustachian tube closure is a safe, minimally invasive and effective method for obliteration of the eustachian tube orifice. The algorithm for management of recalcitrant postoperative CSF rhinorrhea after lateral skull base surgery should include endoscopic endonasal closure of the eustachian tube.

Endoscopic Anterior Skull Base Resection: University of Miami Experience

Objectives:

To report: (1) Oncological safety of endoscopic technique using disease free survival and a Kaplan Maier analysis for malignant tumors and recurrence rate for benign tumors; (2) Type of reconstruction of large anterior skull base defects and rate of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak; (3) Postoperative major (cranial and orbital) and minor complications.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review identifying patients undergoing endoscopic anterior skull base resection for malignant and benign tumors at a tertiary care medical center between September 1997 and June 2013.

Results:

Preliminary analysis shows that 34 patients underwent transnasal endoscopic resection for malignant disease and 2 patients for benign disease. The median follow-up was 30 months. Olfactory neuroblastoma was the most common pathology. There were 3 major and 5 minor complications. Three patients recurred locally resulting in a local control rate of 90.9%. The overall mortality rate was 18%, and the disease specific mortality was 3%. Reconstruction of the skull base defect was done using acellular dermis as a sole graft with a success rate of 97% and a cerebrospinal fluid leak in 1 case.

Conclusions:

Endoscopic anterior skull base resection for benign or malignant disease is a safe and valid alternative compared to standard approaches. It is gaining more popularity, and with increasing surgical expertise, the indications of this procedure are expanding.

Tackling Problematic Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Technical Pearls on Optimizing Outcomes from Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Program Description:

Failure of adequate response to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is a frequent cause of frustration to chronic rhinosinusitis patients and their surgeons. Technical execution of ESS may be a factor in some common findings at revision ESS (middle meatal adhesions, lateralized middle turbinate, missed maxillary ostium, residual uncinate process, residual anterior and posterior ethmoid cells, sphenoid ostium stenosis, and frontal recess scarring). Using real-life demonstrative cases, our expert panel will share practical and key technical pearls on optimizing results from ESS. These include simple modifications in surgical techniques, selection of procedure appropriate to disease, and incorporation of state-of-the-art technology (endoscopes, instrumentation, navigation, etc).

Educational Objectives:

(1) Recognize technical causes of failure of satisfactory response from ESS. (2) Implement changes in surgical techniques to optimize technical execution of ESS. (3) Learn to use technology and instrumentation to improve execution and completeness of ESS.

Distant pseudomeningoceles of the ventral skull base: a report of 2 cases

BACKGROUND

The objective of this case series was to report what is to the best of our knowledge the first reports of nasopharyngeal and soft palate pseudomeningoceles tracking submucosally from the sphenoid sinus.

METHODS

Analysis of cases through medical records.

RESULTS

Two cases of middle-aged male patients presented to our tertiary care university teaching hospital for recurrent meningitis and a history of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. Both were found to have pseudomeningoceles distant from the sphenoid sinus. One was tracking to the mucosa of the Eustachian tube, and the other to the dorsum of the soft palate. Both were found to be tracking submucosally from the sphenoid sinus, to the vidian canal, to the lateral nasopharyngeal wall, to their respective locations at the Eustachian tube and dorsum of the soft palate. CSF closure was performed with a transnasal endoscopic repair using the pedicled nasoseptal flap for 1 patient and Alloderm for the other, both with successful cessation of CSF rhinorrhea.

CONCLUSION

We present these cases of distant spontaneous CSF leaks. We review the literature and discuss case management.

Endoscopic identification of the pharyngeal (palatovaginal) canal: an overlooked area

Objective The pharyngeal or palatovaginal canal (PC) is a small tunnel that lies between the sphenoid process of the palatine bone and the vaginal process of the sphenoid bone. Currently, little endoscopic information is available about this region. Design and Setting Endoscopic endonasal cadaveric study. Subjects and Methods Twenty sides in 10 adult cadaver heads were studied endoscopically. The sphenopalatine foramen (SPF) and the adjacent pterygopalatine fossa were exposed. Dissection medial to the vidian canal demonstrated a tunnel that runs posteromedially in the sphenoid floor. Endoscopic data were documented. Additionally, canal measurements were obtained on 20 sides from coronal CT scans of paranasal sinuses. Results The PC was identifiable in 85% of the sides, although thickness of its bony wall was variable. The endoscopic relationship of the canal and its artery with other landmarks is described. Radiologically, the diameter of the PC averaged 1.7 mm, and the mean distance from the PC to the vidian canal was 3.78 mm. Conclusion The current study provides a novel endoscopic identification of an overlooked canal. The pharyngeal artery can be a source of bleeding during extended endoscopic procedures. The PC itself could be a place for finger-like projections of anatomically related neoplasms.

Surgical nuances for the endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach to lateral sphenoid sinus encephaloceles

Lateral sphenoid encephaloceles of the Sternberg canal are rare entities and usually present with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea. Traditionally, these were treated via transcranial approaches, which can be challenging given the deep location of these lesions. However, with advancements in endoscopic skull base surgery, including improved surgical exposures, angled endoscopes and instruments, and novel repair techniques, these encephaloceles can be resected and successfully repaired with purely endoscopic endonasal approaches. In this report, the authors review the endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach to the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus for repair of temporal lobe encephaloceles, including an overview of the surgical anatomy from an endoscopic perspective, and describe the technical operative nuances and surgical pearls for these cases. The authors also present 4 new cases of lateral sphenoid recess encephaloceles that were successfully treated using this approach.

Considerations for Initial Dosing of Botulinum Toxin in Treatment of Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia

Objectives

To assess the effect on voice improvement and duration of breathiness based on initial dose of onabotulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in the management of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (SD) and to compare voice outcomes for initial bilaterally injected doses of 1.25 units (group A) vs 2.5 units (group B) of BTX-A.

Study Design

Case series with chart review of patients with adductor SD treated at a tertiary care facility from 1990 to 2011.

Setting

Academic subspecialty laryngology practice.

Methods

Demographic data (age and sex), voice rating, duration of voice improvement, and breathiness were evaluated and compared between groups A and B using the Student t test and χ2 analysis.

Results

Of 478 patients identified, 305 (223 in group A, 82 in group B) patients met inclusion criteria. The average age was 56.2 years in group A and 57.4 years in group B ( P = .5). The female to male ratio was 2.91 for group A vs 3.56 for group B ( P = .61). Good voice outcomes (grade 3 or 4) were reported by 91% of group A patients vs 94% of group B ( P = .75). The average duration of voice improvement was 99.7 days for group A and 108.3 days for group B ( P = .54). The average duration of breathiness was 10.88 days for group A vs 15.42 days for group B ( P = .02).

Conclusion

Patients injected with 1.25 units bilaterally had a statistically significant shorter duration of breathiness without a statistically significant difference in clinical effectiveness or voice outcome. It is therefore recommended that a relatively low initial BTX-A dose be used with subsequent titration to achieve improved voice outcomes.

Modified subtotal lothrop procedure for extended frontal sinus and anterior skull base access: a cadaveric feasibility study with clinical correlates

Objective The endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) is an established approach for recalcitrant frontal sinus disease and anterior skull base exposure. However, in select cases, this technique may involve unnecessary resection of sinonasal structures. In this study, we propose a modification of the EMLP, termed the modified subtotal-Lothrop procedure (MSLP), to access the anterior skull base and complex frontal sinus disease for which access to the bilateral frontal sinus posterior table is required. Methods A cadaveric dissection with photo documentation was performed at an academic medical center on four cadaver heads using standard endoscopic techniques to demonstrate the MSLP and its feasibility. Results The endoscopic MSLP allowed ample access for instrumentation in each of the dissections using a 30- or 70-degree endoscope. Adequate bilateral access to the posterior table of the frontal sinus was gained in all cases without the need for dissection of the contralateral frontal sinus recess (FSR). Conclusion The MSLP appears to be a feasible technique for exposure of the anterior skull base and accessing complex frontal sinus pathology. This modification provides similar anterior skull base exposure and surgical maneuverability as the EMLP while limiting surgical dissection to one FSR, thereby preserving as much of the natural mucociliary drainage pathways as possible.

High-resolution computed tomography analysis of the frontal sinus ostium: a pilot study

PURPOSE

Identification and exposure of the frontal sinus recess (FSR) during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) are challenging due to the variable anatomy, the narrow opening of the frontal sinus ostium (FSO), and the proximity of vital anatomic structures. Hence, a strong understanding of frontal sinus anatomy is required to prevent intracranial entry. Consistent and easily identifiable landmarks and measurements could assist safe entry into the FSO. In this study, we determine the distances from the columella and anterior nasal spine (ANS) to the nasofrontal beak (NFB) and anterior skull base (ASB) using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans.

METHODS

A radiographic analysis was performed at a tertiary care medical center. Measurements from the ANS to the NFB and ASB, and from the columella to the NFB and ASB were made using sagittal HRCT. Thirty-two HRCT scans were analyzed by three observers, and the mean distances and standard deviations were calculated.

RESULTS

The mean distance from the ANS to the NFB was 52.3±3.4mm in men and 47.7±3.5mm in women (p<0.0001). Mean distance from the ANS to the ASB was 61.8±4.1mm in men and 56.5±4.1mm in women (p<0.0001). Mean distance from the columella to the NFB was 58.9±2.3mm in men and 53.0±3.3mm in women (p<0.0001), and from the columella to the ASB was 67.9±3.7 mm in men and 61.3±4.1mm in women (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

While performing FSR exposure in ESS, it is recommended to stay a distance of less than 66.9 mm in men and 60.6mm in women from the columella to minimize intracranial complications.

Pan-American Clinical Guideline on Rhinosinusitis

Objective: This evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) aims to improve clinical decision making of general practitioners and specialists in the treatment of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis in adults. Support clinicians in clinical decision making for medical treatment with target in the pathophysiological process and evidence-based efficacy, safety, and tolerability.

Method: The Pan-American Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, in partnership with the Ibero American Agency for Development and Assessment of Health Technologies, developed a clinical practice guideline on medical management of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis in adults. This document provides punctual evidence-based recommendations for primary care physicians and otolaryngologists on the medical management of these conditions and complies with evidence-based medicine fundamentals and with well-validated guidelines methodology as recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, the National Institutes of Health, and The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.

Results: This document provides from A Grade to D Grade clinical recommendations for treatment of these conditions. The Guideline Development Group made recommendations based on well-designed, randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. Some clinical questions could not be answered by high quality research and for these questions a Panel Delphi was conducted to provide clinical guidance. Overall there is a need for well-designed RCTs and economic assessments to answer most of the gaps of knowledge for the treatment of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis.

Conclusion: This clinical practice guideline provides guidance for the medical treatment of adults with acute and chronic rhinosinusitis.

Inverted papillomas and benign nonneoplastic lesions of the nasal cavity

BACKGROUND

Benign lesions of the nasal cavity represent a diverse group of pathologies. Furthermore, each of these disorders may present differently in any given patient as pain and discomfort, epistaxis, headaches, vision changes, or nasal obstruction. Although these nasal masses are benign, many of them have a significant capacity for local tissue destruction and symptomatology secondary to this destruction. Advances in office-based endoscopic nasendoscopy have equipped the otolaryngologist with a safe, inexpensive, and rapid means of directly visualizing lesions within the nasal cavity and the initiation of appropriate treatment.

METHODS

The purpose of this study is to review the diagnosis, management, and controversies of many of the most common benign lesions of the nasal cavity encountered by the primary care physician or otolaryngologist.

RESULTS

This includes discussion of inverted papilloma (IP), juvenile angiofibroma, squamous papilloma, pyogenic granuloma, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, schwannoma, benign fibro-osseous lesions, and other benign lesions of the nasal cavity, with particular emphasis on IP and juvenile angiofibroma.

CONCLUSION

A diverse array of benign lesions occur within the nasal cavity and paranasal cavities. Despite their inability to metastasize, many of these lesions have significant capability for local tissue destruction and recurrence.

Initial Dosing of Botox A in Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia

Objective: 1) Assess effect on voice improvement and duration of breathiness based on initial dose of BotoxA in management of adductor spasmodic dysphonia. 2) Compare voice outcomes for initial bilaterally injected doses of 1.25 units Botox A (Group A) versus 2.5 units (Group B).

Method: A retrospective chart review was undertaken of all adductor spasmodic dysphonia patients treated at a tertiary care facility between 1990 and 2011. Demographic data (age and sex), voice rating, duration of voice improvement, and breathiness were evaluated and compared between Groups A and B using Student’s t test and chi-square analysis.

Results: Of 478 patients identified, 305 (group A: 223; group B: 82) patients met inclusion criteria. The average age of group A was 56.2 years and group B was 57.4 years ( P = .5). The female/male ratio was 2.91 for group A versus 3.56 for group B ( P = .61). Good voice outcomes (grade 3 or 4) were reported by 91% of group A patients versus 94% of group B ( P = .75). The average duration of voice improvement was 99.7 days for group A and 108.3 for group B ( P = .54). The average duration of breathiness was 10.88 days for group A versus 15.42 for group B ( P = .02).

Conclusion: Patients injected with 1.25 units bilaterally had a statistically significant shorter duration period of breathiness without a statistically significant difference in clinical effectiveness or voice outcome. It is therefore recommended that a relatively low initial Botox dose be used with subsequent titration to achieve improved voice outcomes.

Primary sclerosing fibroinflammatory pseudotumor of the maxillary sinus

Inflammatory pseudotumor is a well known but poorly understood pathologic entity. It is associated with an unusual growth of fibrotic tissue admixed with varying amounts of inflammation that displaces and compresses normal anatomic structures, resulting in dysfunction. Pseudotumors have been found in multiple locations-the orbit in particular-but to the best of our knowledge, none has previously been reported as an isolated sinus lesion. We describe a case of primary sclerosing fibroinflammatory pseudotumor of the maxillary sinus that manifested as recurrent unilateral maxillary sinusitis in a 47-year-old woman. The patient was managed with surgery and oral steroids with full resolution of her symptoms. We also review the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of fibroinflammatory pseudotumors within the context of the current literature.

Feasibility of in-office endoscopic sinus surgery with balloon sinus dilation

BACKGROUND

Balloon sinus dilation (BSD) tools are increasingly used in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and post maximal may cause less tissue trauma/bleeding, potentially enabling office-based ESS. We evaluate the feasibility of ESS performed in-office using BSD instrumentation.

METHODS

All patients had a diagnosis with chronic rhinosinusitis. Because of symptom resolution failure postmaximal medical therapy (prolonged antibiotics, corticosteroids, and other adjuvant therapies), all patients were candidates for ESS. In-office ESS using BSD tools was performed on 37 subjects at nine sites. Procedure feasibility was assessed prospectively through technical success rate, procedure tolerability, quality of life, and radiographic outcomes. Subjects were followed at 1, 4, 24, and 52 weeks.

RESULTS

In-office technical success by subject was 89% (33/37). There was one nonserious adverse event. In-office BSD was tolerable, with 93% (27/29) of patients reporting the procedure as tolerable or highly tolerable. Two in-office subjects (7%) indicated poor procedure tolerability. Intraprocedure pain was also well managed during in-office BSD, with 66% (24/36) of patients reporting no pain or pain of low intensity. While 33% (12/36) reported higher-scale pain, usually during balloon inflation, only 2 patients experienced intense pain. At 52 weeks, 95% of the subjects stated they would have procedure again. Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 scores revealed clinically and statistically significant treatment effects at all time points, comparable to previous balloon dilation studies conducted in an operating room setting. Lund-Mackay scores revealed a statistically significant reduction at 24 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Office-based ESS with BSD is feasible with demonstration of high technical success rate, meaningful patient symptom improvement, and high patient satisfaction.

High-resolution computed tomography analysis of the medial infratemporal fossa: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

The medial aspect of the infratemporal fossa (ITF) can be accessed endoscopically. Two important landmarks to help guide dissection in this area have previously been identified: the anterior border of the foramen ovale (AFO) and the "bony bridge" (BB), a consistent bridge of bone between the foramen ovale and spinosum. We conducted a pilot study using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) to measure the distances to these structures.

METHODS

Thirty measurements were acquired from 15 adult patients undergoing HRCT scans of the sinuses. The position of the anterior nasal spine (ANS), AFO, and BB on the 3 orthogonal planes were identified by 3 observers. Euclidian distances between each of these structures were calculated. A cadaveric dissection was performed and images were acquired to provide an endoscopic view.

RESULTS

Fifteen HRCT scans of the sinuses (8 females) were analyzed. The mean distances from the ANS to the AFO and BB were 78.5 ± 5.9 mm and 83.2 ± 6.0 mm, respectively. For males alone, these distances were 80.3 ± 4.3 mm and 85.3 ± 4.8 mm, respectively, and in females 77.0 ± 6.5 mm and 81.4 ± 6.7 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Average distance from the ANS to the AFO and BB was 78.5 mm and 83.2 mm, respectively. These measurements can be used by endoscopic skull base surgeons to guide dissection in the ITF.

Endoscopic Management of Sinonasal Hemangiopericytoma

Objective. Sinonasal hemangiopericytomas (SNHPCs) are rare perivascular tumors with low-grade malignant potential. Traditionally, these tumors have been treated with open approaches such as lateral rhinotomy, Caldwell-Luc, or transfacial approaches. Increased experience with endoscopic management of benign and malignant sinonasal tumors has led to a shift in management of SNHPC. The authors present their experience in the largest series of patients with SNHPC managed endoscopically.

Study Design and Setting. Case series at a tertiary care medical center.

Subjects and Method. A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing endoscopic management of SNHPC at the University of Miami between 1999 and 2008 was conducted. All endoscopic resections were performed with curative intent.

Results. Twelve patients with the diagnosis of SNHPC were treated endoscopically. Mean age was 62.5 years (range, 51-83 years). There were 6 men and 6 women. The mean follow-up was 41 months (range, 15-91 months). Seven (58.3%) presented with nasal obstruction, whereas 4 (41.6%) had epistaxis as their initial presenting symptom. Preoperative angiography or embolization was not performed in any case. Mean estimated blood loss was 630 mL (range, 100-1500 mL). Six patients underwent endonasal endoscopic anterior skull base resection; 4 had complete endoscopic resection all with negative margins. None underwent postoperative adjuvant treatment. No recurrence or metastatic disease was observed in this patient population.

Conclusion. Endoscopic management of SNHPC is a feasible approach and did not compromise outcomes in this experience. In this series, familiarity with advance endoscopic sinus surgery was necessary to manage these patients. Postoperative adjuvant therapy was not necessary in this cohort.

Case report: Liposarcoma of the sinonasal tract

Nasal and paranasal malignant tumours account for less than 5% of all head and neck malignancies. Epithelial malignancies overwhelmingly predominate, with squamous cell carcinomas representing the most frequent histological subtype in this location. Soft-tissue sarcomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are exceedingly rare. Here, we report two cases of myxoid liposarcomas that occurred in the nasal and paranasal regions, both of which presented diagnostic challenges and could not be diagnosed definitively from intraoperative frozen sections. These cases reinforce the notion that, while they are uncommon, sarcomas in general and liposarcomas in particular should still be considered as part of the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with obstructive symptoms in the nasal and paranasal sinuses.

Effect of coblation polypectomy on estimated blood loss in endoscopic sinus surgery

BACKGROUND

We conducted a pilot study comparing estimated blood loss (EBL) using coblation-assisted endoscopic sinus surgery (CAESS) where coblation is used to debulk nasal polyps before microdebridement with a traditional microdebrider technique in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients with sinonasal polyps undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed at a tertiary care center on patients with nasal polyposis undergoing ESS between January 2008 and July 2008. The University of Miami CT staging system was used preoperatively to evaluate the extent of sinonasal disease. The duration of surgery, blood loss per minute, total EBL, and demographic data were collected.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients underwent nasal polypectomy/ESS using CAESS and 16 patients underwent nasal polypectomy/ESS using microdebridement. The two groups had comparable University of Miami CT staging scores (p>0.05). The average EBL was 307.1+/-169.8 mL using coblation compared with 627.8+/-424.2 mL using microdebridement (p<0.05). The average duration of surgery using coblation was 116.2+/-41.7 minutes, compared with 125.3+/-48.4 minutes using microdebridement (p>0.05). The average blood loss per minute was 2.8+/-1.7 mL in the coblation group compared with 4.8+/-2.1 mL in the microdebridement group (p<0.05). Subgroup analyses showed a significant decrease in average EBL and EBL/minute to be only significant for revision cases (p<0.05) and not for primary cases (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Coblation-assisted nasal polypectomy/ESS is associated with a statistically significant lower EBL and blood loss per minute when compared with traditional microdebridement technique. Coblation represents a new device that can reduce blood loss in patients with nasal polyposis undergoing traditional revision ESS. Further prospective randomized trials are needed to validate these findings.

Endoscopic transnasal study of the infratemporal fossa: a new orientation

INTRODUCTION

The medial portion of the infratemporal fossa (ITF) is not infrequently involved in sinonasal and skull base pathologies. However, endoscopic view of the ITF remains unclear with lack of studies addressing this region from the endoscopic perspective.

METHODS

Using an extended endoscopic approach, the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae were dissected in 10 sides of five adult cadaver heads. A plane of dissection along the pterygoid base and the infratemporal surface of the greater sphenoid wing was developed. High-quality images were produced by coupling the video camera to a digital recording system.

RESULTS

The foramen rotundum, ovale, and spinosum were accessed and new landmarks were described from the endoscopic point of view. The sphenomandibularis muscle was also highlighted. Maxillary and mandibular nerves and middle meningeal artery were all identified. Columellar measurements to the foramen rotundum and ovale ranged from 6.1 to 8.0 cm for the former and 7.0 to 9.1 cm for the latter, with a mean of 6.75 cm and 7.78 cm respectively.

CONCLUSION

The current study provides a novel endoscopic orientation to the medial ITF. Such knowledge should provide an anatomical basis for experienced surgeons to endoscopically address this region with more safety and efficacy.