Early experience of radiofrequency ablation-assisted resection of skull base tumor through an endoscopic endonasal approach

Abstract

To describe the early experience of resecting skull base tumor via a radiofrequency ablation-assisted endoscopic endonasal approach, investigate the safety and feasibility of the technique, and to assess its preliminary treatment outcomes. Ten patients with skull base tumor who were admitted between September and November 2013 were operated on through a radiofrequency ablation-assisted endoscopic endonasal approach in Xuanwu hospital of capital medical university. In this study, the operative technique was described, and the degree of resection, complications and the early clinical outcomes was presented. Complete resection was achieved in all patients using this technique. No patient in the series experienced a new neurological deficit, cerebrospinal fluid leak or meningitis after surgery. No recurrence and death related to skull base tumor were found in the follow-up period (16-18 months). The volume of intraoperative blood loss was 60 to 1 000 ml (medium 285 ml). The duration of operations was from 42 to 150 min (medium 95 min). The hospital stay was from 14 to 19 d (average 15.7 d). Our limited experience indicates that this technique is feasible and safe for the complete resection of some skull base tumors in selected cases.