Quality of Life Changes Before and After Transsphenoidal Surgery for Sellar and Parasellar Lesions

Current Role of Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Craniopharyngiomas: A 10-Year Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparison with the Open Transcranial Approach

In recent years, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for craniopharyngiomas has proven to be a safe option for extensive tumor resection, with minimal or no manipulation of the optic nerves and excellent visualization of the superior hypophyseal branches when compared to the Transcranial Approach (TCA). However, there is an ongoing debate regarding the criteria for selecting different approaches. To explore the current results of EEA and discuss its role in the management of craniopharyngiomas, we performed MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS searches from 2012 to 2022. Baseline characteristics, the extent of resection, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed through an X² and Fisher exact test, and a comparison between quantitative variables through a Kruskal-Wallis and verified with post hoc Bonferroni. The tumor volume was similar in both groups (EEA 11.92 cm³, -TCA 13.23 cm³). The mean follow-up in months was 39.9 for EEA and 43.94 for TCA, p = 0.76). The EEA group presented a higher visual improvement rate (41.96% vs. 25% for TCA, p < 0.0001, OR 7.7). Permanent DI was less frequent with EEA (29.20% vs. 67.40% for TCA, p < 0.0001, OR 0.2). CSF Leaks occurred more frequently with EEA (9.94% vs. 0.70% for TCA, p < 0.0001, OR 15.8). Recurrence rates were lower in the EEA group (EEA 15.50% vs. for TCA 21.20%, p = 0.04, OR 0.7). Our results demonstrate that, in selected cases, EEA for resection of craniopharyngiomas is associated with better results regarding visual preservation and extent of tumor resection. Postoperative CSF leak rates associated with EEA have improved compared to the historical series. The decision-making process should consider each person's characteristics; however, it is noticeable that recent data regarding EEA justify its widespread application as a first-line approach in centers of excellence for skull base surgery.

The importance of preserving the superior hypophyseal artery infundibular branch in craniopharyngioma surgery

PURPOSE

Postoperative pituitary dysfunction, a critical problem in the treatment of craniopharyngiomas, can occur even when the pituitary stalk is preserved. We hypothesized that compromise of the primary superior hypophyseal artery (pSHA) might be related to this occurrence.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of 131 patients with craniopharyngioma who underwent surgery from April 2009 to September 2021. The inclusion criteria were initial surgery, endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, preoperative normal pituitary function or pituitary dysfunction in one axis, and morphological preservation of the pituitary stalk. The branches of the pSHA consist mainly of the chiasmatic branches (Cb), infundibular branches (Ib), and descending branches (Db). We analyzed the association between postoperative pituitary function and preservation of these branches.

RESULTS

Twenty patients met the criteria. Preoperative anterior pituitary function was normal in 18 patients, and there was isolated growth hormone deficiency in two patients. No patient had preoperative diabetes insipidus (DI). Anterior pituitary function was unchanged postoperatively in eight patients. Of these eight patients, bilateral preservation of pSHA Ib was confirmed in seven patients. Bilateral preservation of pSHA Ib was the only factor associated with preserved anterior pituitary function (p < 0.01). Fifteen patients were free of permanent DI, and the preservation of any given pSHA branch produced no significant difference in the postoperative occurrence of permanent DI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that bilateral preservation of pSHA Ib provides favorable postoperative anterior pituitary function in craniopharyngioma surgery; however, such preservation may have little effect on the postoperative occurrence of DI.

Prospective evaluation of multidimensional health-related quality of life after endoscopic endonasal surgery for pituitary adenomas using the endoscopic endonasal sinus and skull base surgery questionnaire

Objective

Social functioning is an important factor in the evaluation of postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for pituitary adenoma patients. In a prospective cohort study multidimensional HRQoL of non-functioning (NFA) and functioning (FA) pituitary adenoma patients were evaluated following endoscopic endonasal surgery using the endoscopic endonasal sinus and skull base surgery questionnaire (EES-Q).

Methods

Prospectively, 101 patients were included. The EES-Q was completed preoperatively and postoperatively (2 weeks, 3 months, 1 year). Sinonasal complaints were completed daily during the first week postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative scores were compared. A generalized estimating equation (uni- and multivariate) analysis was performed to identify significant HRQoL changes related to selected covariates.

Results

Two weeks postoperatively, physical (p < .05) and social (p < .05) HRQoL are worse and psychological (p < .05) HRQoL improved compared with preoperatively. Three months postoperatively, psychological HRQoL (p = .01) trended back to baseline and no differences in physical or social HRQoL were reported. One year postoperatively, psychological (p = .02) and social (p = .04) HRQoL improved while physical HRQoL remained stable. FA patients report a worse HRQoL preoperatively (social, p < .05) and 3 months postoperatively (social, p < .02 and psychological, p < .02). Sinonasal complaints peak in the first days postoperatively and gradually return to presurgical levels 3 months postoperatively.

Conclusions

The EES-Q provides meaningful information on multidimensional HRQoL to improve patient-centred health care. Social functioning remains the most difficult area in which to achieve improvements. Despite the relatively modest sample size, there is some indication that the FA group continues to show a downward trend (and thus improvement) even after 3 months, when most other parameters reach stability.

Level of evidence

Level II-B.

Surgical outcomes and longitudinal quality of life after endoscopic endonasal surgery for anterior skull base meningioma

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to establish the effect of endoscopic endonasal surgery on longitudinal quality of life (QOL) in patients with anterior skull base meningioma.

METHODS

A prospectively collected cohort of consecutively operated anterior skull base meningiomas was analyzed. All cases were performed using the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA). Sinonasal-specific and overall QOL were measured using the 22-Item Sinonasal Outcome Test and the Anterior Skull Base Questionnaire longitudinally (at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months) across the first postoperative year. The relationship between surgical and QOL outcomes to clinical and radiological characteristics was analyzed using multivariate regression.

RESULTS

Fifty cases were available, with a mean age of 61.5 years and female predominance (74.0%). Visual dysfunction and headache were the most common presenting symptoms, and tumors commonly took origin from the planum (46.0%), tuberculum (44.0%), and olfactory groove (24.0%). Median tumor volume was 4.6 cm3. Visual improvement was noted in 73.1% of cases with preoperative field deficits, while nonimprovement was associated with greater tumor height (p = 0.04). Gross-total resection was not possible in patients with 360° vessel encasement and high-grade cavernous sinus extension with ophthalmoplegia. Postoperative diabetes insipidus was observed only in cases with suprasellar extension. Sinonasal-specific QOL worsened transiently after surgery but returned to baseline levels after 3 weeks. Olfaction and taste scores returned to preoperative baseline scores within the year. Overall QOL at presentation was worse in those with larger tumors (p = 0.04) and visual failure (p = 0.04) and better in those presenting with headache (p = 0.04). Transient worsening of QOL was seen in the first 3 weeks, which returned to baseline by 6 weeks, and then improved to above preoperative levels at 6 months and beyond. Worse QOL at baseline (p = 0.01) and visual improvement (p = 0.01) predicted QOL improvement after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Longitudinal QOL in anterior skull base meningioma has been examined for the first time. Endoscopic endonasal surgery improves overall QOL after a transient 3-week worsening due to the sinonasal morbidity of the approach. Visual function is intimately tied to QOL, with worse vision associated with worse preoperative QOL, and QOL improving in parallel with visual restoration after surgery. The EEA is associated with better visual outcomes and should be the preferred approach in accessible tumors.

Quality-of-life evaluation for patients submitted to nasal endoscopic surgery for resection of pituitary tumours

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the pre- and post-operative quality-of-life of patients submitted to the resection of pituitary adenoma via endoscopic transsphenoidal.

METHODS

This was a prospective study on patients submitted to endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery with the harvest of a nasoseptal flap who responded to the questionnaires FV-36 and SNOT-22 in the pre-operative and in months 1, 3 and 6 following the surgical procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 42 patients submitted to pituitary adenoma resection surgery via endoscopic transsphenoidal with a nasoseptal flap were recruited. In all of the physical and mental domains (SF-36) evaluated, there was an improvement in the long-term evaluation (6 months), compared to the pre-operative, as well as in the site-specific evaluation (SNOT-22).

CONCLUSION

The global and site-specific questionnaires in the 6th post-operative month follow-up presented an important improvement in all the physical and mental domains evaluated, as well as in nasal function in the perception of the patients submitted to pituitary adenoma resection via endoscopic transsphenoidal, demonstrating the safety and efficiency of the procedure.

Importance of Illness Acceptance Among Other Factors Affecting Quality of Life in Acromegaly

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze psychological factors of patients with acromegaly and assessment of their relationship with the quality of life (QoL) in the context of the control of the disease. Materials and methods: A total sample of 50 patients (62% of females; mean age = 51.66 ± 14.5) with acromegaly underwent a comparative, cross-sectional cohort assessment including the QoL (AcroQoL, WHOQoL-BREF), psychiatric morbidity (GHQ-28), the acceptance of illness (AIS) as well as influence of treatment, comorbidities and symptoms in the relation of disease activity. Acromegaly group was divided in two subgroups: patients with uncontrolled acromegaly (UA, n = 28) and patients with controlled acromegaly (CA, n = 22). Results: The acromegaly groups did not differ in health-related QoL measured with AcroQoL and WHOQoL questionnaires. However, obtained results showed QoL impairments in all subscales and the study participants had decreased scores compared to reference values. The interaction of the relationship between the AIS and disease activity as well as the prevalence of all psychopathological symptoms and disease activity were tested and the statistically significantly differences in the context of QoL in AcroQoL questionnaires and its domains were observed in relation to the course of the disease. No difference in acromegaly symptoms as well as in number of comorbidities were found between CA and UA but these two parameters affected the results QoL scores in AcroQol questionnaires and their domains, regardless the disease activity. Similarly, the prevalence of psychopathological symptoms (GHQ-28) contributed the level of acceptance of the disease, regardless the disease activity. The strongest predictors of QoL were related to the level of illness acceptance (p = 0.01) as well as serum growth hormone concentration. Conclusion: Minding people with UA, the control of biochemical factors seemed to be more important for the QoL perception, while among CA, psychological variables such as AIS are observed to play a fundamental role in QoL. Moreover, inclusion of patient's acceptance of the illness into clinical routine would promote holistic, patient-centered care and empower doctor-patient partnership where patients' expectations and perceptions are constantly tracked. Obtaining biochemical control should not be considered as the only measure of treatment success.