Total Tumor Removal Research Articles

Tumores da base do crânio em pacientes idosos

Objetivo: Avaliar o resultado do tratamento cirúrgico de tumores da base do crânio em pacientes idosos através da aplicação da escala de resultado de Glasgow. Pacientes e Métodos: 40 pacientes com diagnóstico de tumor de base do crânio com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos foram selecionados e acompanhados durante e após o procedimento operatório. A maioria das lesões foi benigna (75%) e os tumores mais freqüentes foram o schwannoma e meningeoma. Resultados: Complicações cirúrgicas e clínicas ocorrem emcerca de um terço dos casos, geralmente de caráter transitório. 87% dos indivíduos encontravam-se independentes funcionalmente por ocasião do diagnóstico. Após o procedimento, 80% mantiveram-se independentes. Houve um óbito (2,5%) relacionado ao procedimento operatório. Conclusão: A abordagem cirúrgica é a melhor opção terapêutica para a maioria dos pacientes. Ela pode permitir a remoção completa ou subtotal da lesão, descompressão de estruturas neurais e o diagnóstico anatomopatológico, combaixo risco de mortalidade e elevado índice de independência funcional.

Surgical treatment of large vestibular schwannomas in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2: outcomes on facial nerve function and hearing preservation.

Surgical treatment of vestibular schwannoma (VS) in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) along with functional preservation of cranial nerves is challenging. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of hearing and facial nerve function in patients with NF2 who underwent large-size VS (> 2cm) surgery. From 2006 to 2016, one hundred and forty NF2 patients were included with 149 large-size VS resections using retrosigmoid approach. Hearing function was classified according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) criteria. Preoperative and one-year postoperative facial nerve function were both assessed using the House-Brackmann (H-B) grading scale. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify preoperative predictors for facial function outcomes. No operative death we noted. Total tumor removal was achieved in 82.6% of the operated VSs. The anatomical integrity of the facial nerve was preserved in 67.8% of surgeries. Good facial nerve function (H-B Grades I-III) was maintained in 49.6% of patients at 12months after surgery. Tumor size larger than 3cm and preoperative facial weakness related with worse outcome of facial nerve function (P < 0.001; for both). Hearing preservation surgeries were attempted in 31 ears. Class B or C hearing according to the AAO-HNS criteria was maintained in 7 ears (22.5%), and measurable hearing was maintained 11 ears (35.5%). It is challenging to maintain hearing and facial nerve function in NF2 patients with large VSs. Early surgical intervention is an appropriate choice to decrease the risk of neurological functions deficit.

Application of multimodal technology in microsurgical resection of acoustic neuromas

Objective To investigate the clinical outcome of microsurgical resection of acoustic neuromas via suboccipital retrosigmoid approach with the assistance of multimodal techniques. Methods The clinical data of 204 patients with acoustic neuromas were retrospectively analyzed who were admitted to Neurosurgery Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from September 2010 to September 2016. A total of 48 patients were treated with the assistance of multimodal techniques (multimodal group), and conventional surgical procedures were performed in 156 patients (conventional group). The extent of tumor resection was scored according to enhanced-MRI imagine at 1 week post surgery, the function of facial nerve was evaluated according to House-Brackmann (H-B) scale at 2 weeks following surgery, and the function of acoustic nerve was assessed based on American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) hearing classification scale at 2 weeks post surgery. All patients were followed up in outpatient clinic and arranged for radiological (MRI) follow-up in 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. The function of facial nerve was evaluated 6 months after surgery. Comparisons of clinical features, surgical outcome and postoperative complications were conducted between two groups. Results The difference between two groups with regard to sex, age, course of diseae, tumor location, tumor size classification, facial nerve function classification and hearing classification was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The rate of total tumor removal after surgery between two groups was not statistically significant [multimodal group: 95.8% (46/48), conventional group: 92.3% (144/156), P=0.527]. The rate of facial nerve functional preservation evaluated 2 weeks after surgery in the multimodal group was much higher than that the conventional group [81.3% (39/48) vs 64.5% (100/155), P=0.007]. The difference of practical hearing preservation between two groups was not statistically significant [6.3% (3/48) vs 5.8% (9/156), P=0.901]. The multimodal group had lower incidence of postoperative complications compared with conventional group [29.2% (14/48) vs 46.4% (72/155), P=0.034]. The follow-up period of 201 patients ranged from 6 months to 80 months, mean 22.3±4.5 months. The head enhanced MRI showed no tumor recurrence between two groups.The rate of facial nerve functional preservation evaluated 6 months after surgery in the multimodal group was much higher than the conventional group [85.4%(41/48) vs 69.3%(106/153), P=0.009]. Conclusion The multimodal technology is effective in assisting the resection of acoustic neuromas, which has certain advantages over the conventional method with respect to facial nerve functional preservation and reduction of postoperative complications. Key words: Neuroma, acoustic; Neurosurgical procedures; Facial nerve injuries; Postoperative complications; Multimodal technique

MENINGIOMA OF THE ANTERIOR PORTION OF THE CRANIOVERTEBRAL JUNCTION

The paper describes clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of spinal cord tumor localized in the anterior portion of the craniovertebral junction in a 43-years-old patient after a course of stereotactic radiotherapy with the CyberKnife linear accelerator. The surgical treatment included microsurgical total removal of intradural extramedullary tumor at the level of the craniovertebral junction through far lateral approach with neurophysiologic monitoring. Good clinical results achieved in the early postoperative period were presented by restoration of muscle force in the limbs (regression of tetraparesis) and headache relief.

Clinical Features, Treatment, and Prognostic Factors of 56 Intracranial and Intraspinal Clear Cell Meningiomas.

Intracranial and intraspinal clear cell meningiomas (CCMs) are rarely reported because of their extremely low incidence, and the current understanding of CCM is poor. The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence and the clinical, radiologic, pathologic, and prognostic features of intracranial and intraspinal CCMs. Among 14,310 cases of intracranial and intraspinal meningiomas that were surgically treated between 2006 and 2016 at Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, 56 were chosen for analysis and retrospectively reviewed. To determine which parameters were associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), statistical analysis was performed. CCMs accounted for approximately 0.39% of all intracranial and intraspinal meningiomas. Patients with CCM had a mean age of 32.3 years and there was a female predilection (20 males and 36 females). Gross total resection was achieved in 35 cases, and subtotal resection was achieved in 21 cases. All patients were followed up for 10-206 months after surgery. Twenty-six patients experienced tumor recurrence, and the median PFS was 48.0 months. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year PFS was 87.5%, 59.8%, and 41.8%, respectively. Twelve patients died of tumor recurrence, and the median OS was not available. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS was 98.2%, 91.3%, and 65.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that total tumor removal was significantly associated with a better prognosis. Multivariate analysis confirmed only Simpson grade III and IV resection as an independent risk factor for shorter PFS. Radiotherapy mildly improved PFS after both gross total resection and subtotal resection, showing no significant difference because of the small sample size and short follow-up duration. CCM is a rare subtype of World Health Organization grade II meningioma. CCM typically involves young patients and shows a female predilection and high recurrence rate. When possible, total resection is the primary and most suitable treatment for CCM. For patients with primary tumors, radiotherapy is recommended after the initial operation regardless of the extent of resection. For patients with disease recurrence, secondary surgery combined with radiotherapy might serve as an effective treatment.

Overt tumor regression after salvage boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for a recurrent glioblastoma patient

A 52-year-old woman was diagnosed with left parietal glioblastoma, and underwent craniotomy with near total tumor removal on October 11 th , 2017. After the surgery, she received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (6,000 cGy in 30 fractions and daily oral temozolomide) and adjuvant monthly temozolomide for following 12 months. However, tumor relapse was noted during February 2018 by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. The tumor progressed rapidly, and patient experienced right limbs hemiplegia. Therefore, salvage BNCT was chosen as the treatment option. BNCT was performed at Tsing-Hua Open Pool Reactor on May 11 th , 2018. During the entire treatment procedure, she continuously received L-BPA [L-(4- 10 borophenyl) alanine] 450 mg/kg of body weight via an intravenous infusion. Before the patient started epithermal neutron irradiation, her blood boron concentration was 27.72 ppm. The prescribed mean tumor dose to gross tumor volume was 20.44 Gy-E. Two weeks after BNCT, a MRI examination revealed overt tumor response with near complete tumor regression. BNCT is a useful salvage treatment for recurrent glioblastoma and is less toxic to the adjacent normal tissue.

Surgical Technique for Lumbar Spinal Extraforaminal Schwannoma

Spinal neurinomas are frequently observed in the cauda equina, particularly within the dura mater. However, extraforaminal schwannomas(EFS), which are neither intradural nor dumbbell type, are relatively rare; hence, different surgical procedures have been employed. Here, we report 12 cases of lumbar EFS with total resection that were safely performed. This study was comprised of 12 patients with lumbar EFS(excluding those with neurofibromas)who were previously treated at our hospital. Using the Wiltse paraspinal approach, we inserted the microscope until it reached the tumor surface. After confirming the tumor surface, we inserted a scalpel to make an incision in a portion of the outer capsule. Then, we confirmed that the surfaces of the outer capsule and the tumor within the capsule could be dissected. Next, a thread was attached to the outer capsule and pulled upwards so that there was enough space to perform the required procedures within the capsule. Using a CUSA^®, we removed the intracapsular tumor. After its removal, the outer capsule was treated carefully to ensure that the origin nerve was not damaged. In all cases, we successfully performed a total removal of the intracapsular tumor;in the mean postoperative observation period of 8 years, no recurrence was observed. Although temporary paralysis was observed in three patients, this improved over time. We report our experience with a surgical technique that ensured the safe removal of lumbar EFS. Satisfactory results were achieved, with no recurrences observed during the mean 8-year postoperative observation period.

Hemorrhage glioblastoma mimicks a dural-based meningioma

The so-called “dural tail sign” (DTS) is a thickening of the dura that is most often seen adjacent to a meningioma. Although the DTS is highly specific for meningioma, it has been observed in numerous other intracranial lesions. The origin of the DTS is an issue of debate. Some authors have described it as a tumor extension, while others have considered it as a proliferation of connective tissue, hypervascularity, and vascular dilatation within the dura and adjacent to cranial masses. Here, we reported a rare case of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with image findings of a DTS. A 74-year-old female was taken to our hospital due to the sudden onset of mental status change and right-side hemiparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast enhancement showed an intracranial mass with heterogeneous enhancement in the left temporal lobe which was consistent with the DTS. A left frontotemporal craniotomy was performed, and grossly total tumor removal was achieved. The final pathology reported was GBM. Although it is rare, GBM may also on occasion be associated with a DTS. The histopathological examination for DTS in GBM is limited. Currently, excision of the dural tail in GBM is suggested.

Endoscopic Approach to Remove Intra-extracranial Tumors in Various Skull Base Regions: 10-year Experience of a Single Center.

Background:Some problems have been found in the usually adopted combined approach for the removal of intra-extracranial tumors in skull base. Herein, we described a pure endoscopic transnasal or transoral approach (ETA) for the removal of intra-extracranial tumors in various skull base regions.Methods:Retrospectively, clinical data, major surgical complications, pre- and postoperative images, and follow-up information of a series of 85 patients with intra-extracranial tumors in various skull base regions who were treated by surgery via ETA in our skull base center during the past 10 years were reviewed and analyzed.Results:Gross total tumor removal was achieved in 80/85 cases (94.1%) in this study. All 37 cases with tumors in anterior skull base and all 14 cases with tumors in jugular foramen received total tumor removal. Thirteen and three cases with tumors in clivus received total and subtotal tumor removal, respectively. Total and subtotal tumor removal was performed for 16 cases and 2 cases in lateral skull base, respectively. The complications in this study included: cerebrospinal fluid leakage (n = 3), meningitis (n = 3), and new cranial nerve deficits (n = 3; recovered in 3 months after surgery). In the follow-up period of 40–151 months (median: 77 months), seven patients (8.8%) out of the 80 cases of total tumor removal experienced recurrence.Conclusions:Complete resection of intra-extracranial growing tumors in various skull base regions can be achieved via the pure ETA in one stage in selected cases. Surgical procedure for radical removal of tumors is feasible and safe.

Enhanced recovery program (ERP) in major laryngeal surgery: building a protocol and testing its feasibility.

SUMMARYEnhanced recovery programs (ERP) represent a multimodal approach to perioperative patient care. The benefits of ERP are well demonstrated in colorectal surgery and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) programs, that epitomise the ERP concept, have being introduced in different specialties, including vascular, gastric, pancreatic, urogynecologic and orthopaedic surgery. However, no ERP has been proposed for head and neck surgery. We developed an expert-opinion-based ERP for laryngeal surgery based on the key principles of colorectal surgery ERAS®. Twenty-four patients undergoing major laryngeal surgery (total and partial laryngectomies or surgical removal of oropharyngeal tumour with muscle flap reconstruction) were treated according to such an ERP protocol, which differed under several respects from our previous standard practice (described in 70 consecutive patients who underwent major laryngeal surgery before ERP implementation. The adherence rate to the different ERP items is reported. Adherence to ERP items was high. Nutritional assessment, antibiotic prophylaxis, postoperative nausea and vomit (PONV) prophylaxis and postoperative speech therapy targets were applied as required in 100% of cases. Some ERP items (antibiotic prophylaxis, intraoperative infusion rate, and postoperative speech therapy) were already frequently implemented before ERP adoption. Postoperative medical complications occurred in 8.3% of patients. Our expert opinion-based ERP protocol for major laryngeal surgery proved feasible. The degree of benefit deriving from its implementation has yet to be assessed.

Peripheral nerve function estimation by linear model of multi-CMAP responses for surgical intervention in acoustic neuroma surgery.

Nerve function assessments are crucial for surgical intervention during acoustic neuroma surgery. Cranial nerves such as acoustic and facial nerves, can be possibly damaged during tumor dissection. Proper surgical intervention should prevent neurological deficit and achieve total tumor removal. Conventionally, nerve function is qualitatively evaluated by surgeon and neurologist. Facial nerves can be preserved by monitoring the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) response. The differences in the amplitude and latency of CMAP are used as indicators during surgical interventions. However, baseline CMAPs cannot be recorded in the presence of large acoustic tumors. This paper presents a new way of estimating nerve function. Instead of a single CMAP examination, multi‐CMAP responses are obtained from a train of varied stimulus intensities and these are applied a mathematical model. Shifts in the mathematical model parameters reflect changes in facial nerve function. In this study, experiments conducted in frog revealed that shifts in the linear model parameters were related to the level of induced nerve injury. Significant differences in the slope parameter of the linear model were found between each nerve condition. The identification of healthy and severed nerves via a support vector machine (SVM) corresponded to 94% accuracy. This classification criterion could be used with surgical intervention to prevent severed facial nerve palsy in acoustic neuroma surgery. The proposed method could be used to estimate nerve outcomes without prior information of a CMAP baseline.

Postoperative Cochlear Obliteration after Retrosigmoid Approach in Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma.

Objective Vestibular schwannomas (VSNs) account for the vast majority of lesions located in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). The goals of VSN surgery are possible total tumor removal, intact facial nerve function, and preservation of cochlear nerve function. In cases of pre- or postoperative deafness, restoration of hearing with auditory brainstem implant (ABI) or cochlear implant (CI) is a promising treatment option with normally better results in CI than in ABI. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate cochlear ossification or obliteration secondary to a retrosigmoid approach, which is important for later CI, especially in single-sided deafness. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed data from our suboccipital retrosigmoid operation database for the period from January 2008 to February 2015. A total of 65 patients with VSN could be analyzed retrospectively. The patient's data (age, gender, side of operation, tumor entities, and the duration of follow-up) were evaluated. The most recent T2-weigted MRI exams were taken into account for the evaluation of cochlea. To compare left and right sides, the coronal reformatted images were reconstructed in a symmetrical way. Results Twenty-two out of 65 (33%) patients had cochlear obliteration in our survey. The cochlear obliteration was more common in females (44 vs. 20% in males). The median follow-up was 28 months. The size and the intrameatal extension of tumors could not be considered as factors influencing the cochlear obliteration rate. According to our survey, 33% of suboccipital approaches manifested cochlear obliteration to some extent. It was more common in females. The intrameatal extension of tumors played statistically no role in the occurrence of postoperative cochlear obliteration. Whether the prohibition of cochlear ossification can be best achieved by retrosigmoid approaches, compared to other approaches to the CPA, or not could be a subject of future studies.

Lacrimal myoepithelial carcinoma ex recurrent pleomorphic adenoma: A clinicopathological report and review of the literature.

Myoepithelial carcinoma is an uncommon malignant tumor of the lacrimal gland, composed of neoplastic myoepithelial cells with an infiltrative growth. The present study describes a unique case of progressive proptosis and blindness of the right eye in a 68-year-old woman following total tumor removal for lacrimal pleomorphic adenoma. Clinical study, surgical exploration, and pathology revealed lacrimal myoepithelial carcinoma ex recurrent pleomorphic adenoma, T2N0M0. In addition, 18 cases of lacrimal myoepithelial tumor that have been previously described in the literature are reviewed. The application of clinical, radiological, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical investigations may help to reach the definite diagnosis. Criteria for malignancy of lacrimal myoepithelial tumor should be the same as salivary myoepithelial tumor diagnosis, until long-term outcome data for a larger number of patients with lacrimal myoepithelial carcinoma become available.

Surgically benign recovery and histopathologically malignant transformation of a gliomatosis cerebri after radiotherapy: natural course or an unpredictable desired effect?

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare primary glial neoplasm of the central nervous system characterized by excessive involvement of the brain tissue. Dispersion and infiltrative growth pattern of this insidious pathology limit the utility of total surgical removal and are underlying causes of its poor prognosis. Furthermore, unresponsiveness of gliomatosis cerebri to radiotherapy and its classification as high grade or type 2 is reportedly associated with poor long-term survival. Contrary to our current knowledge, we report the case of a 54-year-old male who was diagnosed with gliomatosis cerebri. He presented with an exceptional clinical and pathological course and poor prognostic factors but was successfully treated with total surgical resection after radiotherapy. The present case findings indicate the potential utility of surgery, usually underestimated, as a curative treatment for gliomatosis cerebri. Clinicians should be aware of negative predictive factors that may help identify a small subset of patients suitable for total surgical tumor removal, as in the present case.

ATP7B expression in human glioblastoma is related to temozolomide resistance.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive types of brain malignancy, with resistance to chemotherapy being a primary treatment obstacle. ATPase copper transporting β (ATP7B) is involved in multidrug resistance; however, its expression in GBM remains to be evaluated. In the present study, GBM specimens from 79 patients who underwent gross total tumor removal followed by concomitant temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy and radiotherapy were assessed immunohistochemically. The association between the overall survival times of patients and the expression of ATP7B in neoplastic cells was evaluated. In 12/79 tumors (15.2%) >10% of neoplastic cells were immunohistochemically-positive for ATP7B, and categorized as high-ATP7B GBM. In the remaining 67 tumors (84.8%) the rate of ATP7B-positive cells was <10% and recorded as low-ATP7B GBM. The median overall survival times of patients with high- and low-ATP7B GBM were 14.6, and 24.7 months, respectively. High expression of ATP7B was identified to be associated with shorter overall survival times (hazard ratio, 0.452; 95% confidence interval, 0.206–0.994; P=0.048). Of the 79 patients, 12 underwent a second operation due to recurrence. These tissue samples were also subjected to immunohistochemical study. The ATP7B positivity rate of tumor cells obtained during the second surgery was significantly higher compared with that in the first surgery (9.17±2.56 vs. 2.75±0.55%; P=0.008). In addition, two ATP7B-transfected GBM cell lines were identified to be significantly resistant (3.8- and 1.7-fold, respectively) to TMZ compared with the control cell line. The findings of the present study suggest that ATP7B influences GBM resistance to TMZ.

Facial nerve neuroma in the geniculate ganglion extending into the internal auditory canal: A case report

Facial nerve schwannoma is a very rare benign tumor representing less than 1% of intrapetrous lesions. Our patient is a forty-one year old female who has suffered from recurrent right facial palsy for the last six years. She was first misdiagnosed as having Bell’s palsy and received corticosteroids which resulted in little improvement. She then had facial nerve decompression surgery which resulted in a partial improvement. Since then, she has suffered from recurrent attacks of facial palsy. Two years ago, she came to our hospital seeking further treatment options. The final diagnosis made by MRI was a possible facial nerve tumor. To obtain a better facial outcome, total tumor removal was performed through the middle cranial fossa approach along with facial-hypoglossal nerve end-to-side anastomosis through transmastoid approach. Her hearing was preserved, and she obtained a better facial outcome than that of her preoperative level. In conclusion, facial nerve schwannoma has the potential to be misdiagnosed as Bell’s palsy which might lead to a delay in diagnosis, and end-to-side neurorrhaphy may be an effective alternative in a selected case.

Combined Minimally Invasive Supraciliary and Transfacial Approach for Large Tumors with Skull Base and Sinonasal Involvement.

Tumors invading both the anterior skull base and the sinonasal area have traditionally been accessed via largely invasive open craniofacial approaches. Minimally invasive extended endoscopic endonasal approaches have recently become increasingly available but have anatomical limitations and require incremental experience and thus high patient volume. Our objective was to assess the applicability of a novel combination of the minimally invasive supraciliary incision and the limited maxillofacial osteotomy as a combined surgical approach for large tumors invading both the anterior skull base and the sinonasal area. The well-established technique of supraciliary incision with a 2.5× 3.0-cm craniotomy was combined for the first time with limited facial translocation approach. This series involves 11 cases (female/male ratio 4:7; ranging in age from 6 to 61 years). Intracranial tumor propagation with intranasal and ethmoidal extension was detected in all patients. The pathologic diagnoses included adenocarcinomas, esthesioneuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, sinonasal papilloma, meningioma, and neurofibroma. The postoperative approach-related mortality rate was zero. No case of cerebrospinal fluid leak was detected. The 3-year survival rate was 70%. The limited transfacial approach in combination with a supraciliary extension is associated with minimal mortality and morbidity and facilitates gross total tumor removal. We highly recommend this approach for the surgical treatment of large tumors invading both the anterior skull base and the sinonasal area, especially for those being out of indication for extended endoscopic endonasal surgery.

Paracondylar-lateral cervical approach for resection of jugular foramen schwannomas: a retrospective analysis of 15 cases

Objective: To explore the effects of paracondylar-lateral cervical approach for resection of the jugular foramen schwannoma(JFS). Methods: A total of 15 patients with JFS operated via the paracondylar-lateral cervical approach between December 2011 and March 2016 at Department of Neurosurgery in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 8 females, aging from 22 to 77 years with a mean age of (41.9±15.8) years.There were 12 patients who accepted primary surgery, 3 patients who accepted secondary surgery. There were 10 patients with tinnitus or hearing loss, 8 patients with dysphagia, 9 patients with hoarseness, 7 patients with tongue hemiparesis, 8 patients with ataxia, 1 patient with Pyramidal signs, 2 patients with facial hypesthesia or pain, 1 patient with facial paresis. According to Samii JFS grading system, 2 patients were type B, 4 were type C and 9 were type D. All patients were followed-up through outpatient and telephone by MRI in 3, 9, 12 months postoperation. Results: Gross total removal of tumors were achieved in 14 patients and subtotal removal in 1 patient. Two patients had new hoarseness, 2 had new dysphagia and 3 had more serious dysphagia, 1 patient had more serious facial paresis after the operation. There were 2 patients with intracranial infection, 2 with pneumonia, 1 with subcutaneous effusion, 1 with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, 5 with gastric intubation during perioperative period. There were no death, intracranial hematoma and decreased hearing patients. All patients were followed up, the follow-up time were 3 to 33 months with a mean of (26.9±11.2) months. Till to the latest follow up, dysphagia improved in 2 cases, hoarseness and tongue hemiparesis improved in 3 cases, hearing loss and tinnitus improved in 9 cases, balance function improved in 7 cases, facial hypesthesia and pain improved in 2 cases, pyramidal signs disappeared in 1 case, facial nerve function improved to normal in 1 case. There was no recurrence and progressed case. Conclusion: Paracondylar-lateral cervical approach is an alternative approach for both intracranial and extracranial JFS.

A systematic review about the position-related complications of acoustic neuroma surgery via suboccipital retrosigmoid approach: Sitting versus lateral.

This systematic review wasdesigned to compare the complications of acoustic neuroma surgery via the suboccipital retrosigmoid approach in the sitting versus lateral positions. Searches for randomized trials and observational studies about the complications of acoustic neuroma surgery were performed in five medical databases (though October 2015) including PubMed, MEDLINE (In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and PsycINFO. Primary outcomes in this study were venous air emboli, neuropsychological defects, CSF leak, facial and abducens nerves palsy, postoperative deafness, hydrocephalus and mortality. Secondary outcomes were total tumor removal, facial and cochlear nerves preservation and ataxia. 843 abstracts and titles were reviewed and 10 studies (two non-randomized comparative studies and 8 non-comparative case series) were included for data extraction. Because of the heterogeneity of the studies, small number of participants and methodological shortcomings, findings were evaluated qualitatively. No impressive advantage was found in surgical or neurological outcomes for use of the sitting or lateral positions in patients with acoustic neuroma surgery. According to the available evidence, it seems that both sitting and lateral positions can be used with an equivalent safety for acoustic neuroma surgery via the retrosigmoid suboccipital approach. There seems a clear need for comparative studies to compare harms and other outcomes for these two positions.

Surgical Strategy for Dermoid and Epidermoid Tumors of the Posterior Fossa - Experience with 21 Patients

Objective The aim of this paper is to describe our surgical strategy and technique and to identify the best management for posterior fossa dermoid and epidermoid tumors (PFDETs). Methods We retrospectively identified 21 consecutive patients (11 males and 10 females), with a mean age of 33.2 years, a mean follow-up of 6.1 years, and pathologically confirmed PFDETs. Total 17 patients were submitted to the extended retrosigmoid approach. This approach incorporates transverse sigmoid sinus exposure and a generous mastoidectomy. Results Gross total tumor removal was achieved in 16 (76.1%) cases, with no surgical mortality and a recurrence rate of 9.5%. Conclusions The surgical strategies used in this group of patients enabled the total removal of most tumors without surgical mortality and with minimal morbidity and recurrence rates. The extended retrosigmoid approach used is an alternative path regarding cranial base approaches. This approach is quick, simple and safe, and decreases the retraction of the cerebellum.