Domenico Solari

The endoscopic endonasal approach for the management of craniopharyngiomas: a series of 103 patients

OBJECT Despite their benign histological appearance, craniopharyngiomas can be considered a challenge for the neurosurgeon and a possible source of poor prognosis for the patient. With the widespread use of the endoscope in endonasal surgery, this route has been proposed over the past decade as an alternative technique for the removal of craniopharyngiomas. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed data from a series of 103 patients who underwent the endoscopic endonasal approach at two institutions (Division of Neurosurgery of the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy, and Division of Neurosurgery of the Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy), between January 1997 and December 2012, for the removal of infra- and/or supradiaphragmatic craniopharyngiomas. Twenty-nine patients (28.2%) had previously been surgically treated. RESULTS The authors achieved overall gross-total removal in 68.9% of the cases: 78.9% in purely infradiaphragmatic lesions and 66.3% in lesions involving the supradiaphragmatic space. Among lesions previously treated surgically, the gross-total removal rate was 62.1%. The overall improvement rate in visual disturbances was 74.7%, whereas worsening occurred in 2.5%. No new postoperative defect was noted. Worsening of the anterior pituitary function was reported in 46.2% of patients overall, and there were 38 new cases (48.1% of 79) of postoperative diabetes insipidus. The most common complication was postoperative CSF leakage; the overall rate was 14.6%, and it diminished to 4% in the last 25 procedures, thanks to improvement in reconstruction techniques. The mortality rate was 1.9%, with a mean follow-up duration of 48 months (range 3-246 months). CONCLUSIONS The endoscopic endonasal approach has become a valid surgical technique for the management of craniopharyngiomas. It provides an excellent corridor to infra- and supradiaphragmatic midline craniopharyngiomas, including the management of lesions extending into the third ventricle chamber. Even though indications for this approach are rigorously lesion based, the data in this study confirm its effectiveness in a large patient series.

Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Removal of Recurrent and Regrowing Pituitary Adenomas: Experience on a 59-Patient Series

OBJECTIVE The nature of the pituitary adenomas itself exposes the possibility of a recurrence of the tumor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach for the removal of recurrent and residual pituitary adenomas, already treated by a microscopic or endoscopic transsphenoidal approach or by a transcranial route. METHODS A total of 59 adult patients with a recurrent or regrowing pituitary adenoma underwent surgery using a pure endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach. Of these patients, 31 were previously operated on by a microsurgical transsphenoidal approach, 22 by means of an endoscopic transsphenoidal route, and 6 via a transcranial route. The patient series has been divided into 3 tiers according to the primary surgery, and the results were evaluated accordingly. RESULTS Gross total removal was achieved in 37 of our cases (62.7%). According to prior surgery at primary disease, we found that in the subgroup of patients who underwent a microsurgical transsphenoidal approach we achieved gross total removal in 23 cases (74.2%; 23 of 31), whereas in the group of patients who underwent the endoscopic endonasal approach, gross total removal was attained respectively in 13 cases (59.1%; 13 of 22) and in only 1 case of those who underwent the transcranial approach (16.7%; 1 of 6). Postoperative complications included 1 case (1.7%) of cerebrospinal fluid leak and meningitis, and 1 with an hematoma in the tumor field (1.7%); both needed surgical reoperation. CONCLUSIONS The endoscopic endonasal approach is a safe and effective procedure for the management of recurrent and/or regrowing pituitary tumors previously treated by either a microsurgical or an endoscopic approach.

The use of a three-dimensional novel computer-based model for analysis of the endonasal endoscopic approach to the midline skull base.

OBJECTIVES To apply a three-dimensional geometric model to various endoscopic endonasal approaches to analyze the bony anatomy of this area, quantify preoperatively bone removal, and optimize surgical planning. METHODS Investigators dissected 18 human cadaveric heads at the Laboratory of Surgical NeuroAnatomy (LSNA) of the University of Barcelona (Spain). Before and after each dissection, a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed to create a three-dimensional geometric model of the approach performed in the dissection room. The model protocol was designed as follows: (i) a preliminary exploration of each specimen using the preoperative CT scan, (ii) creation of a computer-generated three-dimensional virtual model of the approach, (iii) cadaveric anatomic dissection, and (iv) development of a CT-based model of the approach as a result of the superimposition of predissection and postdissection digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) images of specimens. RESULTS This method employing preliminary virtual exploration of each specimen, the creation of a three-dimensional virtual model of the approach, and the overlapping of the predissection and postdissection three-dimensional models was useful to define the exact boundaries of the endoscopic endonasal craniectomy. CONCLUSIONS Aside from laboratory anatomic dissection itself, this model is very effective in providing a depiction of bony landmarks and visual feedback of the amount of bone removed, improving the design of the craniectomy in the endoscopic endonasal midline skull base approach.

Expanded Endonasal Approaches to Middle Cranial Fossa and Posterior Fossa Tumors

Skull base lesions that involve the middle and posterior cerebral fossae have been historically managed through extensive transcranial approaches. The development of endoscopic endonasal techniques during the past decade has made possible a vast array of alternative routes to the ventral skull base, providing the ability to expose lesions in difficult-to-access regions of the cranial base in a less invasive manner. In this review, the authors detail the endoscopic surgical anatomy and the operative nuances of the expanded endoscopic endonasal approaches to tumors of the middle and posterior cranial fossae. These techniques offer excellent exposure of the targeted regions yielding optimal resections, while avoiding the morbidity associated with transcranial surgical approaches.

The endoscopic endonasal approach to the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus via the pterygopalatine fossa : Comparison of endoscopic and radiological landmarks

OBJECTIVE: The endoscopic endonasal approach offers the opportunity to reach the pterygopalatine fossa, the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus, and other areas of the cranial base through a minimally invasive approach. This study compares the anatomy of these areas when observed through an endoscopic endonasal view with the anatomy of the same regions as they appear in computed tomographic scans. The aim was to identify and correlate the corresponding anatomic structures, providing the surgeons with anatomic landmarks to guide them when operating in these areas through an endoscopic endonasal approach. METHODS: An anatomic dissection of six fixed cadaver heads was performed by an endoscopic endonasal approach. A step-by-step comparison of endoscopic and radiological images was made to identify the landmarks of the surgical field. RESULTS: The step-by-step comparison of endoscopic and radiological images acquired during the endoscopic endonasal approach to the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus via the pterygopalatine fossa allowed the identification of all the relevant anatomic landmarks of the procedure. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic endonasal approach via the pterygopalatine fossa offers direct, minimally invasive access to the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus, which can be monitored in each phase through consistent radiological imagery.

Endoscopic endonasal approach for pituitary adenomas

BackgroundPituitary surgery is a continuous evolving specialty of neurosurgery, requiring precise anatomical knowledge, technical skills and integrated appreciation of the pathophysiology.MethodsWe herein detail the features of the endoscopic endonasal approach for the management of pituitary adenomas, as experienced at the Division of Neurosurgery of the Universita’ degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”.ConclusionsThe endoscopic endonasal technique brings advantages to the patient (less nasal traumatism, less post-op pain), to the surgeon (wider and closer view of the surgical target area, increase of the scientific activity, smoothing of interdisciplinary cooperation), and to the institution (shorter post-op hospital stay, and increase of the case load).

The supraorbital approach for recurrent or residual suprasellar tumors.

BACKGROUND Suprasellar tumors can be removed through a variety of approaches including conventional frontotemporal craniotomies, the transsphenoidal route, or the supraorbital (SO) eyebrow craniotomy. Herein we assess the utility of the SO route for recurrent or residual suprasellar tumors previously treated by an alternative route. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent an SO approach for removal of a recurrent/residual tumor was undertaken. RESULTS Between December 2007 and February 2010, 11 patients underwent an SO craniotomy for a recurrent or growing residual tuberculum sellae meningioma (n=7) or craniopharyngioma (n=4). All 11 patients had prior craniotomies, 5 had transsphenoidal surgery, 6 had radiation treatment, and 1 had chemotherapy. In the last 5 cases, the endoscope was used in addition to the microscope for intraoperative visualization. 3 patients underwent decompression of multicystic craniopharyngiomas and the remaining 8 patients had tumor debulking, all achieving 70% or more tumor removal. Of 9 patients with preoperative visual deterioration, 6 (67%) had improvement and no patient had visual worsening. No new adenohypophysis or neurohypophysis dysfunction was noted. One patient had a postoperative CSF leak requiring reoperation. CONCLUSION The SO approach should be considered as a safe and effective alternative route for recurrent or residual suprasellar tumors previously treated by conventional craniotomy or TS surgery. It typically offers a simplified trajectory that minimizes scar tissue from prior approaches and provides excellent access for optic apparatus decompression. Endoscopy is helpful to visualize hidden tumor remnants and maximize safe tumor removal.

Mid-term and long-term follow-up of intracranial aneurysms treated by the p64 Flow Modulation Device: a multicenter experience

Background Experience with the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms using the p64 Flow Modulation Device is still limited. This study discusses the results and complications of this new flow diverter device. Methods 40 patients (30 women, 10 men) with 50 cerebral aneurysms treated in six Italian neurointerventional centers with the p64 Flow Modulation Device between April 2013 and September 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Results Complete occlusion was obtained in 44/50 aneurysms (88%) and partial occlusion in 3 (6%). In the other three aneurysms (6%), two cases of asymptomatic in-stent thrombosis and one intraprocedural occlusion of the parent vessel occurred. Technical complications were observed in eight procedures (16%). Permanent morbidity due to acute in-stent thrombosis and consequent ischemic stroke occurred in one patient (2.5%). No delayed aneurysm rupture, subarachnoid or intraparenchymal hemorrhage, or ischemic complications occurred and there were no deaths. Conclusions Endovascular treatment with the p64 Flow Modulation Device is a safe treatment for unruptured cerebral aneurysms, resulting in a high rate of occlusion. As with other flow diverter devices, we recommend this treatment mainly for large-necked aneurysms of the internal carotid artery siphon. However, endovascular treatment with the p64 device should also be encouraged in difficult cases such as aneurysms of the posterior circulation and beyond the circle of Willis.

Endoscopic Endonasal Extended Approaches for the Management of Large Pituitary Adenomas

The management of giant and large pituitary adenomas with wide intracranial extension or infrasellar involvement of nasal and paranasal cavities is a big challenge for neurosurgeons and the best surgical approach indications are still controversial. Endoscopic extended endonasal approaches have been proposed as a new surgical technique for the treatment of such selected pituitary adenomas. Surgical series coming from many centers all around the world are flourishing and results in terms of outcomes and complications seem encouraging. This technique could be considered a valid alternative to the transcranial route for the management of giant and large pituitary adenomas.

A three-dimensional computer-based perspective of the skull base.

OBJECTIVE To describe our designed protocol for the reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) models applied to various endoscopic endonasal approaches that allows performing a 3D virtual dissection of the desired approach and analyzing and quantifying critical surgical landmarks. METHODS All human cadaveric heads were dissected at the Laboratory of Surgical Neuroanatomy of the University of Barcelona. The dissection anatomic protocol was designed as follows: 1) virtual surgery simulation systems, 2) navigated cadaver dissection, and 3) postdissection analysis and quantification of data. RESULTS The virtual dissection of the selected approach, the preliminary exploration of each specimen, the real dissection laboratory experience, and the analysis of data retrieved during the dissection step provide a complete method to improve general knowledge of the main endoscopic endonasal approaches to the skull base, at the same time allowing the development of new surgical techniques. CONCLUSIONS The methodology for surgical training in the anatomic laboratory described in this article has proven to be very effective, producing a depiction of anatomic landmarks as well as 3D visual feedback that improves the study, design, and execution in various neurosurgical approaches. The Dextroscope as a virtual surgery simulation system can be used as a preoperative planning tool that can allow the neurosurgeon to perceive, practice reasoning, and manipulate 3D representations using the transsphenoidal perspective acquiring specifically visual information for endoscopic endonasal approaches to the skull base. The Dextroscope also can be used as an advanced tool for analytic purposes to perform different types of measurements between surgical landmarks before, during, and after dissection.