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Central European neurosurgery 08/2011; 72(3):162-5. · 0.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The microsurgical resection of tumors or vascular lesions in the cavernous sinus and the neighbouring Meckel's cave has been considered as hazardous because of often associated cranial nerve morbidity. Despite increasing consent that many of such tumors should not undergo surgical therapy, the cavernous sinus and Meckel's cave may harbour small lesions of various origin, which are amenable for surgical resection. Surgery in this anatomical area needs a well directed approach. In this setting, neuronavigational guidance may provide a useful tool. We report on a series of patients operated on and guided by neuronavigation.
Five patients underwent a pterional approach for microsurgical resection. The procedures were planned and assisted by a pointer based neuronavigation system (Medtronic Stealth Station). Pathological entities included schwannoma, epidermoid, cavernoma and capillary hemangioma. Three lesions were located in the Meckel's cave and two lesions in the cavernous sinus.
Intraoperative guidance by neuronavigation appeared to be particularly instrumental in identification of the appropriate site of dural incision over the target region for microsurgical resection. Except of a mild increase of facial hypesthesia in one patient, there were no new cranial nerve deficits. In three patients, preoperative symptoms improved immediately after surgery.
The surgical resection of small tumors or vascular lesions within the Meckel's cave or cavernous sinus is facilitated by neuronavigational guidance with sufficient intraoperative reliability and safety. In consideration of well known anatomical landmarks, targeted entry into the cavernous sinus or Meckel's cave directed by neuronavigation enables a tailored approach for microsurgical resection.
European journal of surgical oncology: the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology 08/2009; 36(2):208-13. · 2.56 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Due to the destruction of osseous landmarks of the skull base or paranasal sinuses, the anatomical orientation during surgery of frontobasal or clival tumors with (para)nasal extension is often challenging. In this relation computer assisted surgical (CAS) guidance might be a useful tool. Here, we explored the use of CAS in an interdisciplinary setting.
The surgical series consists of 13 patients who underwent a lateral rhinotomy combined with a subfrontal craniotomy in case of significant intracranial tumor extension. The procedures were planned and assisted by advanced CAS techniques with image fusion of CT and MRI. Tumors included carcinomas (one case associated with an olfactory groove meningioma), esthesioneuroblastoma, chordoma, chondrosarcoma and ganglioglioma.
The application of CAS in the combined approaches was both safe and reliable for delineation of tumors and identification of vital structures hidden or encased by the tumors. There was no perioperative 30-day mortality; however two patients died 5 weeks and 5 months after craniofacial tumor resection due to worsening medical conditions. The most common perioperative morbidity was postoperative wound complication in two cases. Tumors were either removed completely, or subtotal resection was achieved allowing targeted postoperative radiotherapy.
Craniofacial approaches with intraoperative neuronavigational guidance in a multidisciplinary setting allow safe resection of large tumors of the upper clivus and the paranasal sinuses involving the anterior skull base. Complex skull base surgery with the involvement of bony structures appears to be an ideal field for advanced navigation techniques given the lack of intraoperative shift of relevant structures.
European journal of surgical oncology: the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology 01/2009; 35(6):666-72. · 2.56 Impact Factor
