Large trigeminal schwannoma of the infratemporal fossa: evaluation of neoangiogenesis in this rare neoplasm

Pre-operative embolization and excision of vagal schwannoma with rich vascular supply: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Schwannomas are benign tumors wrapped in the nerve sheath and can originate from the myelin sheath of the cranial nerve. In previous literature reports, most of the tumors were solid tumors, which can be removed only by surgery. This case report describes a unique case of vagal schwannoma, which, unlike previous cases, involves a dominant arterial supply, and discusses the pre-operative evaluation, relevant radiographic findings, and surgical process of the case in detail.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 31-year-old woman sought treatment for pain in the left side of the neck when turning her head. A mass on the left side of the neck was found on enhanced computed tomography with a maximum diameter of 6.8 cm, along with multiple tortuous, thickened vascular shadows, and pressure on the left pharyngeal cavity.

DIAGNOSIS

The pathological results showed schwannoma.

INTERVENTIONS

Considering the unusual size of the tumor and thickened blood vessels revealed by pre-operative computed tomography, general anesthesia and biopsy were conducted first to confirm the diagnosis. Excessive bleeding occurred during the process; thus, the tumor was only partially removed before the wound closed after hemostasis. Digital subtraction angiography indicated that the tumor was supplied by multiple arteries, and the tumor was removed by pre-operative embolization plus intra-operative removal.

OUTCOMES

Combined with embolization and surgical resection, the tumor was completely removed, the nerve was partially preserved, and the patient had postoperative hoarseness.

LESSON

The present case indicates the possibility of vascularly supplied vagal schwannoma; thus, it is necessary to conduct pre-operative digital subtraction angiography.

Pediatric multicompartmental trigeminal schwannoma: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Trigeminal schwannoma (TS) is an uncommon and histologically benign intracranial lesion that can involve any segment of the fifth cranial nerve. Given its often impressive size at diagnosis and frequent involvement of critical neurovascular structures of the skull base, it represents a challenging entity to treat. Pediatric TS is particularly rare and presents unique challenges. Similarly, tumors with extension into multiple compartments (e.g., middle cranial fossa, posterior cranial fossa, extracranial spaces) are notoriously difficult to treat surgically. Combined or staged surgical approaches are typically required to address them, with radiosurgical treatment as an adjunct.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors presented the unusual case of a 9-year-old boy with a large, recurrent multicompartmental TS involving Meckel’s cave, the cerebellopontine angle, and the infratemporal fossa. Near-total resection was achieved using a frontotemporal-orbitozygomatic craniotomy with a combined interdural and extradural approach.

LESSONS

The case report adds to the current literature on multicompartmental TSs in children and their management. The authors also provided a simplified classification of TS that can be generalized to other skull base tumors. Given a lack of precedent, the authors intended to add to the discussion regarding surgical management of these rare and challenging skull base lesions.

Spontaneous Meckel's cave hematoma: A rare cause of trigeminal neuralgia

Background:

The most common etiology of classic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is vascular compression. However, other causes must be considered. Among these, spontaneous hematoma of the Meckel's cave (MC) causing symptomatic TN is very rare.

Case Description:

We present the case of a 60-year-old woman with a 2-month history of left TN and diplopia. Neuroradiological examinations revealed a well-defined hematoma in the left MC. The patient underwent surgical decompression with a progressive neurological improvement.

Conclusion:

Despite the number of lesions potentially affecting the MC, spontaneous hemorrhage is rare but should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis.

[Four cases of extracranial trigeminal benign neurogenic tumors]

Extracranial trigeminal schwannomas are rare tumors accounting for about 10% of all trigeminal schwannomas. We report herein on four cases of extracranial trigeminal benign neurogenic tumors. The patients were aged between 39 and 75 years; they consisted of one male and three females. The origins of the schwannomas consisted of the maxillary nerve in two cases and the mandibular nerve in two cases. All cases were surgically treated using a transmaxillary approach in three cases, and a combination of the transcervical-parotid approach with a midline mandibulotomy in one case. In two cases, the schwannomas located in the pterygopalatine fossa were removed using a transmaxillary approach with the endoscope and the surgical microscope. Two patients underwent selective intravascular embolization of the feeding artery to reduce intraoperative bleeding, and they were less invasively treated via the transmaxillary approach.

Use of submandibular gland flap for repairing defects after tumor resection in the infratemporal region

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the application of submandibular gland flap with facial artery and vein pedicle, for repairing defects following tumor resection in the infratemporal region.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifteen patients, including eight males and seven females ranging in age from 21 to 73 years, underwent surgical resection of tumors in the infratemporal region. Tumors were exposed using the submandibular incision approach and completely resected after pulling and rotating the mandible laterally. Mandibular osteotomy was performed for larger tumors or those that were not completely exposed. After tumor resection, the submandibular gland flap was used to fill up the residual defect following tumor resection.

RESULTS

The incisions healed well without exudation or infection (primary healing) postoperatively in all the patients. Long-term follow-up showed no tumor recurrence in all cases. Seven of the patients who underwent mandibular ramus osteotomy had numbness of the lower lip due to inferior alveolar nerve injury. No other complications were observed postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

The submandibular gland flap with facial artery and vein pedicle is a reliable, effective, and easy approach for repairing the defects caused by tumor resection in the infratemporal region, and has great potential for application in the clinical setting.