Removal of a Penetrating Tree Branch in the Orbitofrontal Region-A Unique Application of an Orbitofrontal Craniotomy Through a Supraciliary Brow Approach

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Orbitocranial penetrating injury (OPI) is associated with neurological, infectious, and vascular sequalae. This report describes unique application of an orbitofrontal craniotomy through a supraciliary approach to remove a wooden stick penetrating through the orbit and frontal lobe, postoperative management, and antimicrobial therapy.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 51-yr-old male presented after a tree branch penetrated beneath his eye. He had no loss of consciousness and was neurologically intact with preserved vision and ocular motility. Computed tomography (CT) and CT angiogram revealed an isodense hollow cylindrical object penetrating though the left orbit and left frontal lobe. The object extended into the right lateral ventricle, abutting the left anterior cerebral artery. There was minimal intraventricular hemorrhage without arterial injury. The patient was treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobial coverage. The foreign body was removed and the dural defect repaired via an orbitofrontal craniotomy through a supraciliary eyebrow incision. He was treated with an extended course of antimicrobial therapy, and after 18 mo remained neurologically intact.

CONCLUSION

OPI are a subset of penetrating brain injuries with potential for immediate injury to neurovascular structures and delayed complications including cerebrospinal fluid leak and infection. Treatment includes attempted complete removal of the foreign body and antimicrobial therapy. An orbitofrontal craniotomy through a supraciliary eyebrow incision may be effective in selected patients.

Transblepharo-Preseptal Modified Orbitozygomatic Approach for the Treatment of Ruptured Proximal Anterior Circulation Aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive skull base approaches, including the cosmetically optimal transblepharo-preseptal modified orbitozygomatic (TBMOZ) technique, have been described to treat proximal anterior circulation aneurysms. The use of minimally invasive techniques for previously ruptured aneurysms is rare because of perceived technical challenges in controlling intraoperative ruptures. Herein, we determine the utility of the minimally invasive TBMOZ approach for the treatment of ruptured proximal anterior circulation aneurysms.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of an institutional review board-approved, prospective database was performed to identify patients with ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms treated with a TBMOZ approach. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, temporary clip time, intra-operative ruptures, and neurologic outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients (9 females, 6 males; average age, 53.6 ± 12.2 years) underwent a TBMOZ craniotomy following subarachnoid hemorrhage for clipping of 17 aneurysms (12 anterior communicating, 3 posterior communicating, and 2 carotid terminus). Four of 15 patients (26.6%) experienced intraoperative rupture, which was easily controlled in all patients and did not affect clinical outcomes. All patients had complete aneurysm ablation confirmed on postoperative cerebrovascular imaging. Good neurologic outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Score [GOS] of 5) were achieved in 73.3% (n = 11) of patients at time of hospital discharge; the remaining patients had a GOS of 3-4. No patients experienced frontalis muscle weakness or facial nerve injuries, and all patients had acceptable cosmetic outcomes. One patient (6.6%) experienced a surgery-related complication: postoperative versus vasospasm-induced perforator infarcts.

CONCLUSIONS

The TBMOZ approach provides a minimally invasive option for the safe treatment of previously ruptured proximal anterior circulation aneurysms.