World Neurosurg
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Endoscopy has provided a less invasive approach to skull base surgery, mainly through endonasal routes, but has been limited in its applications due to potential complications. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of the purely endoscopic extradural transcranial approach to lateral and central skull base through a subtemporal keyhole and to better understand potential distortions of the related anatomy via endoscopy. ⋯ The endoscopic extradural subtemporal approach was feasible. This approach could display a wide range of lateral and central skull base structures with minimal invasiveness. The use of extradural space would be key to performing safe and effective endoscopic skull base surgery.
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Endoscopic approaches are increasingly utilized to treat third ventricular colloid cysts but have been associated with lower rates of complete cyst wall resection. Our objective was to assess the results of colloid cyst resection via an anterolateral endoscopic approach with a dual-instrument technique, with an emphasis on completeness of cyst wall resection. ⋯ High rates of complete colloid cyst resection, with low morbidity, are possible with an anterolateral endoscopic approach with dual-instrument technique. These results support the findings of other endoscopists that show how technical modifications to traditional endoscopic approaches can produce favorable results.
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Historical Article
The history of autologous fat graft use for prevention of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea after transsphenoidal approaches.
Presented herein is a review of the history of fat graft use in preventing iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea after transsphenoidal surgery. Since the first transsphenoidal surgeries were described in the early 1900s, the techniques of sellar packing to prevent CSF leak have evolved. Kanavel, Halstead, and Cushing used bismuth- or iodine-soaked gauze. ⋯ The use of autologous fat graft for this purpose has only been reported in recent decades. Montgomery was the first to use abdominal fat to obliterate the middle ear cavity in 1964, and Collins reported the first transsphenoidal application of fat graft in 1973. Other reports by Kirchner, Tindall, and Wilson followed.
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Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a routinely used alternative to ventriculoperitoneal shunt in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus. We attempted to determine the usefulness of the surgeon's intraoperative impression and postoperative period intracranial pressure monitoring that may help guide clinicians in predicting the early functional outcome of ETV. ⋯ ETV is a valuable means of treating obstructive hydrocephalus. By considering the surgeon's intraoperative impression and postoperative ICP monitoring course, some of the uncertainty around its functional outcome can be overcome. The surgeon's impression and the ICP monitoring offer approximately the same predictive quality for ETV outcome.