Mark Winder

Minimally invasive versus open approach for cervical laminoforaminotomy.

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive posterior cervical foraminotomy for radicular symptoms has become more prevalent. The reported experience with microscopic tubular assisted posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy (MTPF) for the treatment of radicular pain is lacking. Tubular assisted techniques have been considered to offer significant benefit, over open procedures, in terms of minimizing tissue damage, operative time, blood loss, analgesic requirements and length of hospital stay. We hypothesized that MTPF reduces post-operative analgesic requirements and length of hospital stay over the traditional open laminoforaminotomy, with no difference in complication rates and, secondly, that MTPF is comparable to endoscopic posterior foraminotomy (EPF). METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of 107 patients who underwent posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy for radicular pain between 1999 and 2009. Patient demographics, intra-operative parameters, length of hospitalization, post-operative analgesic use, complications and short-term neurological outcome were compared between groups. RESULTS Between 1999 and 2009, a total of 107 patients were identified to have undergone a cervical foraminotomy. An open approach was used in 65 patients, while 42 underwent MTPF. Operative time and complications were comparable between groups. Significant differences favoring MTPF were observed in operative blood loss, post-operative analgesic use and length of hospital stay (p<0.001). All results were comparable to previous reports utilizing EPF. CONCLUSIONS MTPF for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy significantly reduces blood loss, post-operative analgesic use and length of hospital stay compared to the standard open approach. Operative time and complication rates were comparable between both techniques, whilst MTPF offered similar results compared to EPF.

Endoscopic skull base surgery for sinonasal malignancy.

Management of malignant neoplasms of the sinonasal tract and skull base is hampered by the relative low incidence and pathologic diversity of patient presentations. Many studies have reported successful outcomes in the endoscopic management of malignancy since 1996, and these are summarized in this article. Nonsurgical adjuvant therapies are important for locoregional control because surgery occurs in a restricted anatomic space with close margins to critical structures, and distant disease is an ongoing concern in these disorders. There remains a need for collaborative consistent multicenter reporting, and international registries have been established to assist in such efforts.

Surgical management of recurrent lumbar disc herniation and the role of fusion.

This systematic review was performed to evaluate the various operative management strategies for recurrent lumbar disc herniation (RLDH), including the efficacy of instrumented spinal fusion (ISF) at repeat discectomy, and whether the operative approach for repeat discectomy, minimally invasive (MID) or conventional open discectomy (CD), affected the outcomes. RLDH is one of the most common complications of lumbar discectomies. Whilst repeat discectomy is the standard procedure performed, the routine addition of ISF has been advocated to improve outcomes and prevent reherniation. A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane databases was performed. The measured outcomes included the rate of satisfactory clinical outcome, improvement in leg and back pain, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) recovery score, and complication rates. In total, 37 studies met our inclusion criteria, with 1483 patients. The rate of satisfactory outcomes was found to be statistically similar between the patients undergoing a discectomy with or without fusion (77.8% with ISF versus 79.5% without ISF; p=0.665). Back pain and JOA scores showed greater improvements in the patients undergoing discectomy and fusion, compared to discectomy alone. The rate of satisfactory outcomes was marginally higher in the patients undergoing MID compared to CD (MID 81.2% versus CD 77.5%; p=0.248). However, the leg pain improvement was similar. The postoperative back pain improvement was greater in the MID group (52.5% MID versus 36.3% CD), but with lower complication rates, specifically durotomies (MID 5.2% versus CD 15.3%; p<0.001). There is no evidence to recommend the routine addition of ISF in the management of RLDH. The data suggest that MID has lower complication rates than CD in the setting of RLDH, yet unequivocal evidence is lacking.

The Olfactory Strip and Its Preservation in Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery Maintains Smell and Sinonasal Function

Background The return of olfaction and of sinonasal function are important end points after pituitary surgery. Opinions differ on the impact of surgery because techniques vary greatly. A modified preservation of the so-called olfactory strip is described that utilizes a small nasoseptal flap and wide exposure. Methods A cohort of patients undergoing pituitary surgery and endoscopic sinonasal tumor surgery were assessed. Patient-reported outcomes (Sino-Nasal Outcome Test [SNOT22] and Nasal Symptom Score [NSS]) were recorded. A global score of sinonasal function and the impact on smell and taste were obtained. Objective smell discrimination testing was performed in the pituitary group with the Smell Identification Test. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 6 months. Results Ninety-eight patients, n = 40 pituitary (50.95 ± 15.31 years; 47.5% female) and n = 58 tumor (52.35 ± 18.51 years; 52.5% female) were assessed. For pituitary patients, NSSs were not significantly different pre- and postsurgery (2.75 ± 3.40 versus 3.05 ± 3.03; p = 0.53). SNOT22 scores improved postsurgery (1.02 ± 0.80 versus 0.83 ± 0.70; p = 0.046). Objective smell discrimination scores between baseline and 6 months were similar (31.63 ± 3.49 versus 31.35 ± 4.61; p = 0.68). No difference in change of olfaction was seen compared with controls (Kendall tau-b p = 0.46). Conclusions Preservation of the olfactory strip can provide a low morbidity approach without adversely affecting olfaction and maintaining reconstruction options.

Sinonasal morbidity following tumour resection with and without nasoseptal flap reconstruction.

BACKGROUND Sinonasal function can be affected by multiple treatment modalities but surgical techniques, such as the nasoseptal flap or Draf 3 procedure, have been implicated in poor post-treatment function. Prior studies have rarely used comparable populations and this study aims to assess the impact of surgical technique, mainly the nasoseptal flap, on sinonasal function in a group of comparable patients. METHODS A prospective cohort of patients undergoing endoscopic surgery for sinonasal and skull base tumours was studied. Patients were analysed according to whether a nasoseptal flap was used. Other treatment factors included; use of the Draf 3, radiotherapy, removal of olfactory apparatus and dural resection. The Sinonasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT22), a nasal symptom score (NSS), global function score and nasal obstruction scores were recorded pre and post treatment. RESULTS One hundred and eighteen patients were assessed. Forty-two patients had a nasoseptal flap. Perioperative radiotherapy was higher in the nasoseptal group, as was dural resection and the need to remove the olfactory apparatus. Despite this, there was no significant difference in SNOT22 scores and NSS. Radiotherapy was detrimental to sinonasal function with SNOT22 and NSS. CONCLUSION The use of a nasospetal flap in surgery does not affect patient quality of life and sinonasal function after endoscopic tumour resection. Pathology is a better predictor of morbidity, with loss of function from radiotherapy or resection of functional areas such as the olfactory apparatus having a greater impact.

Tantalum trabecular metal implants in anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion: 2-year prospective analysis

Anterior cervical decompression for two or more cervical spondylotic levels can be performed using either multiple anterior cervical discectomies and fusion or anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). A variety of options for ACCF implants exist but to our knowledge, there is no clinical data for the use of tantalum trabecular metal implants (TTMI) for ACCF. A retrospective review was performed of prospectively collected data for ten patients undergoing ACCF with TTMI between 2011 and 2012. Radiological outcome was assessed by measuring the change in cervical (C) lordosis (fusion Cobb and C2-C7 Cobb), graft subsidence (anterior/posterior, determined by the subsidence of anterior/posterior body height of fused segments; cranial/caudal, determined by the cranial/caudal plate-to-disc distances) and rate of fusion using lateral cervical X-rays of patients at 0, 6, 12 and 24months post-operatively. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) assessed clinical outcome pre-operatively and at 6, 12 and 24months post-operatively. Cervical lordosis (Cobb angle of fused segment) was 5.2° (± 4.2°) at 0months and 6.0° (± 5.7°) at 24months post-operatively. Graft subsidence was observed to occur at 6months post-operatively and continued throughout follow-up. Anterior, posterior and caudal subsidence occurred more in the first 12months post-operatively than in the following 12months (p<0.05). Average pre-operative NDI was 45%. Average NDIs were 18%, 13% and 10% at 6, 12 and 24months post-operatively, respectively. ACCF patients treated with TTMI demonstrated stable cervical lordosis over 2years of follow-up and 100% fusion rates after 2years. Measures of subsidence appeared to decrease with time. Patients experienced improved clinical outcomes over the 2-year period.

Finding the Petroclival Carotid Artery: The Vidian–Eustachian Junction as a Reliable Landmark

Introduction Identifying the internal carotid artery (ICA) when managing petroclival and infratemporal fossa pathology is essential for the skull base surgeon. The vidian nerve and eustachian tube (ET) cartilage come together at the foramen lacerum, the vidian‐eustachian junction (VEJ). The ICA position, relative to the VEJ is described. Methods Endoscopic dissection of adult fresh‐frozen cadaver ICAs and a case series of patients with petroclival pathology were performed. The relationship of the VEJ to the ICA horizontal segment, vertical segment, and second genu was assessed. The distance of the ICA second genu to VEJ was determined in coronal, axial, and sagittal planes. The length of the vidian nerve and ET was measured from the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) and nasopharyngeal orifice to the VEJ. Results In this study, 10 cadaver dissections (82.3 ± 6.7 years, 40% female) were performed. The horizontal petrous ICA was at or behind VEJ in 100%, above VEJ in 100%, and lateral to VEJ in 80%. The vertical paraclival segment was at or behind VEJ in 100%, above in 100%, and medial in 100%. The second genu was at or behind VEJ in 100% (3.3 ± 2.4 mm), at or above in 100% (2.5 ± 1.6 mm), and medial in 100% (3.4 ± 2.0 mm). The VEJ was successfully used to locate the ICA in nine consecutive patients (53.3 ± 13.6 years, 55.6% female) where pathology was also present. The VEJ was 15.0 ± 6.0 mm from the ET and 17.4 ± 4.1 mm from the PPF. Conclusion The VEJ is an excellent landmark as it defines both superior and posterior limits when isolating the ICA in skull base surgery.

A bilateral infratentorial neurenteric cyst

We report a patient with a large infratentorial neurenteric (NE) cyst. Intracranial NE cysts, also known as enterogenous cysts, constitute a rare, generally benign entity of unknown aetiology. The presentation, imaging characteristics and management of the case is discussed, including illustrative peri-operative images.

Collagen matrix as an inlay in endoscopic skull base reconstruction

BACKGROUND Multi-layer reconstruction has become standard in endoscopic skull base surgery. The inlay component used can vary among autografts, allografts, xenografts and synthetics, primarily based on surgeon preference. The short- and long-term outcomes of collagen matrix in skull base reconstruction are described. METHODS A case series of patients who underwent endoscopic skull base reconstruction with collagen matrix inlay were assessed. Immediate peri-operative outcomes (cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, ventriculitis, intracranial bleeding, epistaxis, seizures) and delayed complications (delayed healing, meningoencephalocele, prolapse of reconstruction, delayed cerebrospinal fluid leak, ascending meningitis) were examined. RESULTS Of 120 patients (51.0 ± 17.5 years, 41.7 per cent female), peri-operative complications totalled 12.7 per cent (cerebrospinal fluid leak, 3.3 per cent; meningitis, 3.3 per cent; other intracranial infections, 2.5 per cent; intracranial bleeding, 1.7 per cent; epistaxis, 1.7 per cent; and seizures, 0 per cent). Delayed complications did not occur in any patients. CONCLUSION Collagen matrix is an effective inlay material. It provides robust long-term separation between sinus and cranial cavities, and avoids donor site morbidity, but carries additional cost.

Cervical chordoma surgically resected via three-stage procedure with intraoperative images.

A 78-year-old man presented to the head and neck clinic with a 2-month history of a right-sided neck mass. Past medical history was notable for hypertension and glaucoma. Examination revealed a large submucosal mass involving the posterior and right lateral oropharyngeal wall. A needle aspiration biopsy was performed, which favoured chordoma. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large enhancing expansile soft tissue mass (blue arrow) centred on the right aspect of the C2 vertebra. This had invaded the transverse process and right aspect of the C2 vertebral body. The lobulated mass caused partial effacement of the airway (red arrow) as well as posterior tumour extension compressing the spinal cord (Fig. 1). A cervical computed tomography (CT) further characterizing the mass demonstrated a mixed solid/cystic lesion measuring 36 × 71 × 52 mm. Digital subtraction angiography showed 80–90% occlusion of the right vertebral artery and patent left vertebral. Preoperative embolization of the right vertebral artery was performed. The patient then underwent a successful three-stage surgical excision of the mass by the ENT and neurosurgical teams (Fig. 2). Stage 1 (neurosurgical team, posterior approach): instrumented fusion from the occiput to C4 vertebra was performed and the posterior extradural chordoma was resected. This involved lateral mass screws placed bilaterally on C1, C3 and C4 vertebrae and a left-sided C2 pedicle screw. C2 and partial C3 laminectomies were performed to access the tumour dorsally. The right C2 and C3 nerve roots were sacrificed due to tumour involvement. Stage 2 (ENT team, patient placed supine): a surgical tracheostomy was created. The anterior portion of the spinal chordoma was removed via a right lateral neck skin crease incision anterior to the sternocleidomastoid. Stage 3 (neurosurgical team, anterior approach): C2 vertebrectomy with aggressive tumour debulking within the epidural space was performed along with decompression of the spinal cord and insertion of a C2 vertebral cage. Plate and screws were inserted on C1 and C3 vertebrae. Post-operative CT showed successful tumour excision and spinal instrumentation (Fig. 3) and the patient made an uneventful recovery. There were no new neurological deficits and power was preserved bilaterally. Histological analysis of the anatomical specimens confirmed the diagnosis of chordoma. Post-operatively, the patient underwent 6 weeks of adjuvant radiotherapy of 25 fractions to the tumour bed. At 1-year follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence. Chordomas are extremely rare bone malignancies with an incidence of 0.8 per 100 000 persons. Most commonly they arise in the sacrum (45–50%), followed by the skull base (35–40%) and mobile spine (10–15%). While current studies suggest a 5-year survival of 50–68%, only 5% have distant metastasis at presentation. Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for these largely chemoand radio-resistant tumours, with the extent of surgical resection correlating strongly with prognosis. Aggressive resection of cervical