Solitary lesions of the clivus: what else besides chordomas? An extensive clinical outlook on rare pathologies

Non-chordomatous clival bony tumors: A rare experience and systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Non-chordomatous bony tumors of the clivus are extremely rare. Site, extent, and aggressiveness of tumor limits the extent of resection. It poses challenge to the neurosurgeons due to the complexity of anatomy. There is paucity of literature exclusively on non-chordomatous bone tumors of the clivus in young adults.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the clinical presentation, imaging findings, surgical approach, complications, and outcome of primary clival bony tumors in young adults.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed children and young adults with primary clival bony tumors excluding chordoma who underwent surgical resection between years 2010 and 2023 in our center. We analyzed the demographic details, imaging findings, operative variables, perioperative complications, length of stay, complications, and outcome at latest follow-up.

RESULTS

The mean age was 17.5 ± 1.73 years (range 16 to 19 years). Headache was the presenting complaint in all four patients (100%). The mean duration of symptom was 7.25 ± 3.2 months (range 5 to 12 months). The tumor was localized in clivus in all four patients (100%). The mean length of stay in hospital was 30.5 ± 13.48 days (range 11 to 40 days). All patients underwent surgical treatment. Surgical approaches used were anterior approach in four patients (100%). Gross total excision was performed in one patient (25%), sub-total excision was performed in two patients (50%), and tumor decompression was performed in one patient (25%). Of these, three were designated as having benign tumors and one had a malignant tumor. There was no perioperative mortality. There was one mortality (25%) on 2 months follow-up due to tumor progression. Three patients (75%) had improved symptomatically at latest follow-up. Two patients (50%) received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The mean follow-up was 38 ± 39.29 months (range 2 to 72 months).

CONCLUSION

Non-chordomatous bony tumors of the clivus are rare and often underestimated. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Tumor consistency and adhesion to critical neurovascular structures precludes gross total resection. Various approaches are in the armamentarium. Approach to be decided based on the expertise of the neurosurgeon to achieve safe maximal resection. Multidisciplinary approach is mandatory for streamlined management. Adjuvant therapy is decided based on the residual tumor following surgery.

Ectopic pituitary adenomas: clinical features, diagnostic challenges and management

PURPOSE

Ectopic pituitary adenomas (EPAs) are extremely rare pituitary adenomas located outside the sella turcica without any connection with intrasellar components. This study aims to review all the reported cases to date and describe the clinical characteristics of EPAs.

METHODS

In a retrospective chart review, 14 patients were identified with EPAs in our hospital. A literature review was performed, and 166 cases in the literature met the criteria. Clinical data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 180 patients with EPAs, the mean age at diagnosis was 45.4 years, and 66.5% of the patients were females. EPAs were mainly located in the sphenoid sinus (34.4%) and suprasellar region (25.6%), followed by the clivus (15.6%), cavernous sinus (13.3%) and nasopharynx (5.6%). Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting (38.9%) and nonfunctioning (27.2%) adenomas were predominant. Patients with suprasellar EPAs were more likely to present menstrual disorders and visual changes, while patients with clival EPAs were more likely to suffer from headaches. EPAs in the cavernous sinus and suprasellar space were more likely to be initially misdiagnosed as a suspicious intrasellar mass on imaging examination. The complete tumor resection rates for EPAs in the sphenoid sinus, suprasellar region, clivus, cavernous sinus and nasopharynx were 72.3%, 88.6%, 45.0%, 73.3% and 88.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

EPA clinical characteristics varied across different tumor locations and hormone-secreting types. In addition to comprehensive hormone evaluation and careful review of imaging data, nuclear medicine and surgical biopsy should also be considered when facing differential difficulty. EPA management should be individualized.

Temporal Galeofascial Flap for Reconstruction After Transmaxillary Approaches to the Clival Region

BACKGROUND

A paramount concern after transmaxillary approaches has been skull base reconstruction. Regional pedicled flaps represent the best reconstructive option. We have described a technique to harvest a lateral-based multilayered vascularized flap for skull base reconstruction after resection of large tumors using the transmaxillary transpterygoid approach (TMTPA).

METHODS

We performed a cadaver study using the TMTPA to harvest the combined temporal galeofascial flap (CTGF). The first layer, with major sealing capabilities, is composed by a temporoparietal galeal-pericranial flap. The second layer is composed by temporal muscle fascia to provide mechanical support for flap dural engrafting.

RESULTS

The CTGF provides excellent coverage of both the clival dural lining and the ipsilateral pterygopalatine fossa structures (×1.6). The CTGF is pliable and easy to harvest. It offers great flexibility in flap content and design, providing a large quantity of vascularized tissue. The vascular pedicle derives from the superficial temporal vessels, which can ensure flap trophism.

CONCLUSIONS

CTGF represents an effective option as a regional multilayered pedicled flap for skull base reconstruction after resection of clival tumors using the TMTPA. The flap pedicle, owing to its anatomical location, will often be preserved even after repeated microsurgical or endoscopic procedures, providing a technical alternative for reconstruction even in patients who have undergone multiple surgeries with low residual availability of regional flaps.

Temporal myofascial segmentation for multilayer reconstruction of middle cranial fossa floor after extradural subtemporal approach to the clival and paraclival region

BACKGROUND

Skull-base reconstruction represents a concern after resection of middle fossa (MF) tumors by the extradural subtemporal transzygomatic approach (ESTZ). Regional pedicled flaps appear to be the best option. This study describes a technique for temporal myofascial segmentation to harvest a multilayered vascularized flap for MF reconstruction, which might preserve temporal muscle (TM) function and its blood supply.

METHODS

The technique to harvest a combined segmented temporal myofascial flap (CSTMF) is described. The flap consists in a temporal fascial (TFF) and a muscle flap (TMF), composed by TM anterior-medial bundle (AMB).

RESULTS

CSTMF provides wide coverage of dural lining, through the TFF, and of dead-space, through the TMF. The possibility to tailor TMF according to the need, anatomically preserving the blood supply, enables to significantly increase its volume.

CONCLUSION

CSTMF represents an effective option as regional multilayered pedicled flap for MF reconstruction, potentially preserving TM function and minimizing the cosmetic impact.