Minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal management of skull base cholesterol granulomas

Case report: Unilateral paralysis of the hypoglossal nerve as the only clinical sign of clivus meningioma - a case report and literature review

Introduction

Clivus meningiomas are benign tumors that occur at the skull base in the posterior cranial fossa. Symptoms usually progress several months or years before diagnosis and may include: headache, vertigo, hearing impairment, ataxia with gait disturbances, sensory problems. In the neurological findings, paralysis of the lower cranial nerves is most often seen, which in the later course can be accompanied by cerebellar and pyramidal signs until the development of a consciousness impairment.

Case presentation

We presented the case of a patient who at the time of diagnosis had only unilateral hypoglossal nerve paralysis with dysarthria and mild dysphagia. After the neurosurgical procedure, pathohistological analysis confirmed meningothelial meningioma.

Conclusion

Early recognition of clivus tumors, which include meningiomas, is necessary in order to implement an adequate therapeutic procedure and prevent further deterioration of the patient's condition.

ICAR: endoscopic skull-base surgery

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic skull-base surgery (ESBS) is employed in the management of diverse skull-base pathologies. Paralleling the increased utilization of ESBS, the literature in this field has expanded rapidly. However, the rarity of these diseases, the inherent challenges of surgical studies, and the continued learning curve in ESBS have resulted in significant variability in the quality of the literature. To consolidate and critically appraise the available literature, experts in skull-base surgery have produced the International Consensus Statement on Endoscopic Skull-Base Surgery (ICAR:ESBS).

METHODS

Using previously described methodology, topics spanning the breadth of ESBS were identified and assigned a literature review, evidence-based review or evidence-based review with recommendations format. Subsequently, each topic was written and then reviewed by skull-base surgeons in both neurosurgery and otolaryngology. Following this iterative review process, the ICAR:ESBS document was synthesized and reviewed by all authors for consensus.

RESULTS

The ICAR:ESBS document addresses the role of ESBS in primary cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, intradural tumors, benign skull-base and orbital pathology, sinonasal malignancies, and clival lesions. Additionally, specific challenges in ESBS including endoscopic reconstruction and complication management were evaluated.

CONCLUSION

A critical review of the literature in ESBS demonstrates at least the equivalency of ESBS with alternative approaches in pathologies such as CSF rhinorrhea and pituitary adenoma as well as improved reconstructive techniques in reducing CSF leaks. Evidence-based recommendations are limited in other pathologies and these significant knowledge gaps call upon the skull-base community to embrace these opportunities and collaboratively address these shortcomings.

Cholesterol Granulomas: A Comparative Meta-Analysis of Endonasal Endoscopic versus Open Approaches to the Petrous Apex

Petrous apex cholesterol granulomas (PACG) are rare disorders that can lead to patient morbidity and must, occasionally, be drained by either endoscopic endonasal (EN) or open procedures (OP). The objective of our study was to complete a review of the literature to compare the EN and OP approaches on multiple levels, notably on safety and effectiveness. Ovid MEDLINE and Embase were used to perform a thorough literature review of all cases of PACG treated by either EN or OP dating from January 1948 to August 2017. In total, 49 articles were selected including 23 for EN (n=76) and 26 for OP (n=210). Differences were found in the incidence of preoperative hearing loss (HL) (EN 18.4%, OP 57.3%; p<0.001), headache (EN 48.7%, OP 31.2%; p=0.007), and disequilibrium (EN: 14.5%, OP 26.1%; p=0.04). Differences in lesion proximity to the sphenoid sinus (EN 23.6%, OP: 1.0%; p<0.001), clivus (EN 11.8%, OP 4.7%; p=0.03), otic capsule (EN 0.0%, OP 5.2%; p=0.03), internal auditory canal (EN 2.6%, OP 10.9%; p=0.01), and internal carotid artery (ICA) (EN 9.2%, OP 2.8%; p=0.02) were found on preoperative imaging. The EN procedure had better hearing improvement rates (EN 85.7%, OP 23.4%; p<0.001), lower complication rates (EN 7.9%, OP 17.6%; p=0.04), shorter median follow-up (EN:13.5 months, OP:37.2 months; p<0.001), and shorter time to recurrence (EN 3 months, OP 22.6 months; p=0.002) than the known OP. No differences were found in age, preoperative size, recurrence rate, operative time, stent placement, or improvement of other symptoms. Endoscopic nasal approaches, when feasible, should be favored to open procedures for PACG drainage given their better hearing improvement and less complication rates.

Indications and endonasal treatment of petrous apex cholesterol granulomas

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Lesions of the petrous apex of the temporal bone can be challenging to access and approaches laterally through the mastoid as well as medially through an endonasal approach are utilized to access this region while preserving function of adjacent structures. Cholesterol granulomas of the petrous apex requiring surgery are marsupialized to prevent expansion of the inflamed cyst and relieve associated clinical symptoms. The endonasal approach to the petrous apex has in the past been limited to lesions medial to the internal carotid artery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Endoscopic approaches have been developed to expand the range of petrous apex lesions that are accessible endonasally. These endonasal corridors include a nasopharyngeal/transclival corridor, lateralization of the internal carotid artery to create an expanded medial window, a pterygopalatine infrapetrosal approach, and a contralateral maxillary approach, which allow improved access to the inferior and lateral petrous apex. Nasoseptal flaps may reduce the risk of postoperative stenosis of the drainage tract.

SUMMARY

Endoscopic endonasal approaches can be used safely to address both medial and lateral/inferior petrous apex lesions. Morbidity of these procedures is low and use of a nasoseptal flap may limit restenosis of the drainage pathway.

[The extended endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach in surgery for epidermoid cysts of the chiasmatic region]

Surgical treatment for epidermoid cysts of the chiasmatic region is a challenge because of the tendency to a massive spread of epidermoid masses through the cerebrospinal fluid pathways and a significant lesion deviation from the midline.

PURPOSE

To analyze capabilities of the extended endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach in surgery for epidermoid cysts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 6 patients with epidermoid cysts of the chiasmatic region who were operated on using the extended anterior endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach at the Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute in the past 5 years.

RESULTS

Epidermoid masses were completely removed in 5 patients; in none of the cases, complete removal of the epidermoid cyst capsule was achieved. There were no cases of vision deterioration and the development of new focal neurological symptoms. One female patient developed hypopituitary disorders in the postoperative period. There was no recurrence of epidermoid cysts during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Removal of epidermoid cysts of the chiasmatic region using the extended anterior endoscopic transsphenoidal approach may be an alternative to transcranial microsurgery.

Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery of Epidermoid Cysts of the Chiasmatic Region

BACKGROUND

Despite the rarity of epidermoid cysts in the chiasmatic region, their surgical treatment is particularly complicated because of the tendency toward massive dissemination of the epidermoid masses along cerebrospinal fluid pathways and significant deviation of the tumor from the midline.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present work is evaluation of the role of extended transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal approaches in the surgery of epidermoid cysts.

METHODS

The study included 6 patients with epidermoid cysts in the chiasmatic region who were operated on at the Burdenko Neurosurgery Institute in the last 5 years using an anterior extended transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal approach.

RESULTS

The epidermoid masses were totally removed in 5 patients, but in no patient was it possible to completely remove the epidermoid cyst capsule. Visual deterioration was not noted in any patient, nor did new focal neurologic symptoms appear. One of the patients developed hypopituitary disorders in the postoperative period. No recurrence of the epidermoid cysts was observed during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Removal of epidermoid cysts in the chiasmatic region using an anterior extended transsphenoidal endoscopic approach may be an alternative to transcranial microsurgery operations. This technique is widely accepted as an approach to this area.

Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery using pedicle vascularized nasoseptal flap for cholesterol granuloma in petrous apex: A technical note

BACKGROUND

Compared with surgical resection, endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for cholesterol granuloma (CG) in the petrous apex (PA) is associated with local recurrence due to obstruction of the drainage route. We present a detailed procedure of an endoscopic TSS using pedicle vascularized nasoseptal flap (PVNF).

METHODS

A 40-year-old woman with a history of repeated surgery for left tympanitis was referred to our institution. Neurological examination revealed severe hearing loss in the left ear. Radiologic examination presented a round mass in the left PA and significant fluid collection in the mastoid air cells of the left temporal bone. CG was strongly suspected, and endoscopic TSS using PVNF was performed. Prior to endoscopic drainage, a PVNF was harvested from the mucosa of the ipsilateral nasal septum, with an attempt to preserve the sphenopalatine artery in the flap. Following this, puncture and adequate irrigation of the lesion was performed by endoscopic TSS, with neuro-navigation system assistance; the apex of PVNF was then placed into the lesion to prevent the obstruction of the drainage route. An absorbable polyglycolic acid sheet and fibrin glue were applied on the flap to prevent spontaneous deviation from the lesion.

RESULTS

The patient was discharged without any further neurological complications. Eight-month postoperative computed tomography images showed no recurrence; the drainage route was patent and the fluid collection in the left mastoid air cells was resolved. Moreover, hearing loss was improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic TSS using PVNF may be one of available surgical options for PACG.

Upper Nasopharyngeal Corridor for Transnasal Endoscopic Drainage of Petroclival Cholesterol Granulomas: Alternative Access in Conchal Sphenoid Patients

Background Cholesterol granulomas arising at the petrous apex can be treated via traditional open surgical, endoscopic, and endoscopic-assisted approaches. Endoscopic approaches require access to the sphenoid sinus, which is technically challenging in patients with conchal sphenoidal anatomy.

Clinical Presentation A 55-year-old woman presented with intermittent headaches and tinnitus. Formal audiometry demonstrated moderately severe bilateral hearing loss. CT of the temporal bones and sella revealed a well-demarcated expansile lytic mass. MRI of the face, orbit, and neck showed a right petrous apex mass measuring 22 × 18 × 19 mm that was hyperintense on T1- and T2-weighted images without enhancement, consistent with a cholesterol granuloma. The patient had a conchal sphenoidal anatomy.

Operative Technique Herein, we present an illustrative case of a low-lying petroclival cholesterol granuloma in a patient with conchal sphenoidal anatomy to describe an alternative high nasopharyngeal corridor for endoscopic transnasal transclival access.

Postoperative Course Postoperatively, the patient's symptoms recovered and no complications occurred. Follow-up imaging demonstrated a patent drainage tract without evidence of recurrence.

Conclusion In patients with a conchal sphenoid sinus, endoscopic transnasal transclival access can be gained using a high nasopharyngeal approach. This corridor facilitates safe access to these lesions and others in this location.

Surgical outcomes after endoscopic management of cholesterol granulomas of the petrous apex: a systematic review

OBJECT

Endoscopic endonasal treatment of petrous apex cholesterol granulomas allows for a natural drainage pathway into the nasopharynx. Because of the limited number of case series in the literature, there is limited evidence of recurrence rates and outcomes following endoscopic endonasal management. The purpose of this study was to determine the surgical outcomes of endoscopic endonasal approaches in the treatment of cholesterol granulomas of the petrous apex.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed using PubMed for articles published from January 1980 to April 2014 to identify all studies reporting outcomes for endoscopic endonasal surgical management of cholesterol granulomas of the petrous apex. Operative approach, use of a stent, symptom outcome, restenosis, cyst recurrence, reoperation, and complications were extracted from included studies.

RESULTS

A total of 53 patient cases were included from 22 relevant studies. The mean age was 41 years, and 26 patients (49%) were female. Stents were used in 45.1% of cases. Symptom resolution or improvement was seen in 98.6% of cases at follow-up (mean follow-up 20 months). Complications were reported in 13.2% of cases, with the most common complication being epistaxis. Restenosis on follow-up office endoscopic examination occurred in 9 of 45 cases (20.0%). Only 4 of these restenosis cases resulted in symptomatic cyst recurrence, resulting in an overall recurrence rate of 7.5%. The mean time from surgery to cyst recurrence was 13.5 months. The rate of symptomatic cyst recurrence was 10.7% in cases without the use of a stent compared with 4.3% in cases with stent placement (p = 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on current literature, endoscopic endonasal approaches result in a high rate of symptom improvement or resolution. Complication rates are lower than prior case series that have utilized open approaches. Asymptomatic restenosis can be managed conservatively, since it is associated with symptomatic cyst recurrence less than half of the time. This study revealed a nonsignificant trend toward a decrease in symptomatic cyst recurrence when a stent was used, but further work is needed to clarify its impact.

Use of the pedicled nasoseptal flap in the endoscopic management of cholesterol granulomas of the petrous apex

BACKGROUND

Nowadays the endoscopic approach represents a useful alternative to traditional surgical approaches in the treatment of cholesterol granulomas (CGs) of the petrous apex (PA). Recently the nasoseptal flap (NSF) has been employed to permit long-term patency of drainage site. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with the NSF in the endoscopic management of CG and to analyze the advantages, limitations, and outcomes of the technique.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was carried out on 10 patients affected by CG of the PA who had been treated endoscopically, using the NSF.

RESULTS

An endoscopic transpterygoid approach was used for 6 patients and the remaining 4 were treated using the transclival approach. A NSF was used in all 10 cases. In 6 cases the flap was ipsilateral to the lesion whereas in 4 it was contralateral. In 90% of our patients no evidence of disease was observed after a mean follow-up period of 35.7 months, with resolution of their symptoms. One patient presented a recurrence because of a technical error (inadequate placement of the flap in the cavity), and has been retreated endoscopically.

CONCLUSION

The pedicled NSF seems to be helpful in avoiding the concentric growth of the granulomatous cyst epithelium while assuring ventilation and drainage of the cyst. However, bigger studies with longer-term follow-up are needed to confirm these findings. Correct and meticulous placement of the flap inside the cystic cavity is the most critical issue for the success of the procedure.