Ye Gu

3D-FIESTA MR images are useful in the evaluation of the endoscopic expanded endonasal approach for midline skull-base lesions

The endoscopic expanded endonasal approach (EEA) has been reported in literature as a useful tool to treat sellar, parasellar, suprasellar, and clival lesions. The endoscope permits a panoramic view rather than a narrow microscopic view, and this approach can reach the lesion without brain retraction and with minimal neurovascular manipulation. However, because of the narrow corridor, the preoperative evaluation of the lesions should be of high priority. 3D fast-imaging employing steady-state acquisition (3D-FIESTA) or constructive interference in steady state (CISS) MR imaging provides high spatial resolution in the small structures within the cisterns. Therefore, this technique may be useful for better preoperative planning in detecting optic nerve, oculomotor nerve, chiasma, infundibulum, pituitary stalk, and small vessels in sellar region. Here we used the 3D-FIESTA MR images to evaluate EEA for seven midline skull-base lesions. Our report showed that, when EEA was used to treat midline skull-base lesions, 3D-FIESTA MR images were valuable in the assessment of vital structures in and around the tumor-involved midline skull-base region. 3D-FIESTA MR images can help in making a better preoperative planning, locating the intraoperative structures, and reducing the surgical risks. Otherwise, this approach is helpful for the craniopharyngioma classification based on EEA.

Minimally invasive microsurgical treatment of cervical intraspinal extramedullary tumors

Removal of intraspinal tumors by the classic posterior midline approach with laminectomy may cause damage to and instability of cervical segments. We investigated whether the less invasive hemilaminectomy or hemi-semi-laminectomy can achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes in 39 patients with intraspinal extramedullary tumors of the cervical spine. Twenty-seven patients were treated with conventional microsurgery using a posterior midline approach; and were compared to 12 patients treated with hemilaminectomy or hemi-semi-laminectomy using a posterior midline approach. Patients were retrospectively reviewed and their preoperative and postoperative clinical status was measured using the Frankel Grade. The surgical time for the 27 patients who underwent a classical laminectomy was 3±0.39 hours and blood loss was 123±34 mL. Twenty-five patients had their tumors removed entirely, and two patients had partial removal. Twenty-six patients were followed-up for between 38 months and 7 years (mean=5 years), of whom 23 improved and three remained in a stable condition. One patient with a meningioma had a tumor recurrence 3 years post-operatively and underwent further surgery. The surgical time for the hemilaminectomy or hemi-semi-laminectomy group was 2.5±0.3 hours and blood loss was 88±18 mL. All patients were followed-up for between 26 and 42 months (mean=31 months) and 11 recovered to an improved grade while one remained in a stable condition. No patient had a tumor recurrence. The hemilaminectomy or hemi-semi-laminectomy approach achieved similar clinical outcomes to the conventional posterior midline laminectomy approach and was also associated with a shorter operative time, decreased intraoperative blood loss, greater preserved ligament and bone structure and a reduced deformity rate.

Primary central nervous system Burkitt lymphoma as concomitant lesions in the third and the left ventricles: a case study and literature review.

This study reports the case of a 75-year-old woman with intermittent speech disturbance, headache, and general malaise. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a double lesion located in the third ventricle and temporal horn of the lateral ventricle. We completely removed the lesion in the third ventricle, adhering to the septum pellucidum. The histopathological diagnosis was Burkitt lymphoma, which was confirmed to be primary in postoperative investigation. To our knowledge, this is the first case of primary Burkitt lymphoma involving cerebral ventricles. Finally, we reviewed the characteristics of primary central nervous system Burkitt lymphoma.

Combined use of a gasket seal closure and a vascularized pedicle nasoseptal flap multilayered reconstruction technique for high-flow cerebrospinal fluid leaks after endonasal endoscopic skull base surgery.

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of the combined use of a gasket seal closure and a vascularized pedicle nasoseptal flap (VP-NSF) multilayered reconstruction technique for high-flow cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks resulting from endonasal endoscopic skull base surgery. METHODS From October 2009-June 2011, a VP-NSF multilayered reconstruction technique was used (single technique group) for patients with intraoperative high-flow CSF leaks; from July 2011-February 2013, a combination of a gasket seal closure and a VP-NSF multilayered reconstruction technique was used (combined technique group). A lumbar drain was placed after the operation. The rates of postoperative CSF leaks and repair-related complications in the 2 groups were analyzed. RESULTS The single technique group comprised 18 patients with a mean follow-up of 31.7 months; there were 5 postoperative CSF leaks (27.7%). The combined technique group comprised 15 patients with a mean follow-up of 13.6 months; no CSF leaks occurred (P < 0.05). The rate of intracranial infection in the single technique group was significantly higher than in the combined technique group. CONCLUSIONS The combined use of a gasket seal closure and a VP-NSF multilayered reconstruction technique for high-flow CSF leaks after endonasal endoscopic skull base surgery may significantly reduce the rates of postoperative CSF leaks and intracranial infections. Lumbar drainage after the operation is a necessary auxiliary method.

A Solution to Meningiomas at the Trigone of the Lateral Ventricle Using a Contralateral Transfalcine Approach

BACKGROUND Access to the trigone of the lateral ventricle is challenging because of the deep location and the intimate relationships to eloquent areas. METHODS A novel posterior interhemispheric transfalx transprecuneus approach for two meningiomas at the trigone of the lateral ventricle is described. RESULTS The meningiomas were resected completely with good neurologic outcomes and no operative mortality. CONCLUSIONS The feasibilities and advantages of this novel approach are discussed.

Time to Revive the Value of the Pseudocapsule in Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Surgery for Growth Hormone Adenomas

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery and the pseudocapsule in the treatment of growth hormone adenomas. METHODS The study included 43 patients (age range, 21-64 years) with growth hormone adenomas treated with an endoscopic endonasal approach. We compared the tumor characteristics and surgical outcomes of cases with (group A, 21 cases, from November 2013 to January 2015) and without (group B, 22 cases, from October 2011 to October 2013) extra-pseudocapsule resection. RESULTS The preoperative demographics, tumor characteristics, and surgical complications were not significantly different between groups A and B. Postoperative remission without adjuvant therapy was achieved in 18 of 21 cases (85.7%) in group A, which was significantly greater than that observed in group B (12 of 22 cases [54.4%]). In group A, the pseudocapsules were verified by endoscopy and histopathology. The pseudocapsule was removed en bloc with the whole adenoma in only 5 cases (23.8%). For the remaining 16 patients (76.2%), following extra-pseudocapsule dissection, incomplete pseudocapsule removals with intracapsule procedures were achieved. CONCLUSIONS The combination of extra-pseudocapsule resection and endoscopy led to a high rate of gross total tumor resection and endocrinologicl remission in acromegalic patients compared with the group with intracapsular resection. Extra-pseudocapsule resection resulted in no additional postoperative complications.

Purely endoscopic resection of pineal region tumors using infratentorial supracerebellar approach: How I do it.

BackgroundInfratentorial supracerebellar approach via microscope still has some limitations in resection of pineal region tumors.MethodsThe authors describe a purely endoscopic infratentorial supracerebellar approach for resection of pineal region tumors with matched air-driven arm and navigation. The lateral oblique position is adopted. The same bimanual microsurgical techniques are utilized in this endoscopic approach with panoramic view and satisfying comfort.ConclusionsPurely endoscopic resection of pineal region tumors using infratentorial supracerebellar approach is feasible. It may be considered as an alternative approach for certain pineal region tumors.

Novel Biomarkers for Non-functioning Invasive Pituitary Adenomas were Identified by Using Analysis of microRNAs Expression Profile

The microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in multiple pathological processes among various types of tumors. However, the functions of miRNAs in benign brain tumors are largely unexplored. In order to explore the pathogenesis of the invasiveness in non-functional pituitary adenoma (NFPA), the miRNAs expression profile was analyzed between invasive and non-invasive non-functional pituitary adenoma by miRNAs microarray. Six most significant differentially expressed miRNAs were identified including four upregulated miRNAs hsa-miR-181b-5p, hsa-miR-181d, hsa-miR-191-3p, and hsa-miR-598 and two downregulated miRNAs hsa-miR-3676-5p and hsa-miR-383. The functions and corresponding signaling pathways of differentially expressed miRNAs were investigated by bioinformatics techniques, including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. The result of GO analysis indicates regulation of voltage-gated potassium channel activity, positive regulation of sodium ion transport, positive regulation of GTPase activity, negative regulation of Notch signaling pathway, etc. KEGG pathway reveals a series of biological processes, including prolactin signaling pathway, endocrine and other factor-regulated calcium reabsorption, fatty acid metabolism, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, etc. The miRNAs hsa-miR-181a-5p was verified by quantitative real-time PCR, and the expression level was in accordance with the microarray result. Our result can provide the evidence on featured miRNAs which play a prominent role in pituitary adenoma as effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the future.

The contralateral transfalcine transprecuneus approach to the atrium of the lateral ventricle: operative technique and surgical results.

BACKGROUND: Surgical approaches to the atrium of the lateral ventricle remain a challenging neurosurgical issue because of the eloquent nature of the surrounding anatomy. OBJECTIVE: To report our operative techniques and preliminary surgical results with the contralateral transfalcine transprecuneus approach. METHODS: A retrospective data review was performed of patients undergoing a contralateral transfalcine transprecuneus approach for the resection of lesions in the atrium of the lateral ventricle. Patients were positioned in the prone position with a 30° elevation, and a 15° rotation was used. After a contralateral parasagittal parieto-occipital craniotomy and falx incision, the corticotomy in the contralateral precuneus gyrus created a corridor to the tumor. An endoscope was used to assist with the surgery. RESULTS: Headache was the primary preoperative symptom, which improved in all patients after surgery. After treatment, symptoms were improved in all 3 patients with hemiparesis and in 3 of 6 patients with preexisting visual deficits; symptoms were unchanged in the other 3 patients with visual deficits during the 13- to 38-month follow-up. Nine lesions were totally removed, and 1 metastatic breast cancer lesion was subtotally removed; all patients had good neurological outcomes and no operative mortality. CONCLUSION: The contralateral transfalcine transprecuneus approach is appropriate for most lesions in the atrium of the lateral ventricle. It provides a wider surgical angle (especially for the lateral extension) and reduces the risk of disturbance of the optic radiation compared with the conventional approaches. The use of magnetic resonance venography-magnetic resonance imaging neuronavigation makes the procedure much easier and more accurate, and the neuroendoscope adds to the visualization of the microscope and can reduce surgical complications. ABBREVIATIONS: MPRAGE, 3-dimensional magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo MRV, magnetic resonance venography TOF, time-of-flight

Unusual Imaging Appearance of a Huge Intracranial Dermoid Cyst Located Across the Anterior and Middle Skull Base

Intracranial dermoid cysts are rare congenital neoplasms. Typical dermoid cysts are well-circumscribed fat-density masses with no associated contrast enhancement. We report a woman with a dermoid cyst across the anterior and middle skull base of unusual imaging appearance. This report highlights the challenge facing the diagnosis and management of intracranial dermoid cysts with unusual primary imaging findings.