The role of different imaging modalities: is MRI a conditio sine qua non for ETV?

Objective To describe the different imaging modalities used for the diagnosis and classification of hydrocephalus, their role in defining the optimal treatment of hydrocephalus and to define the optimal preoperative diagnostics for endoscopic third ventriculocisternostomy (ETV). Methods An overview on available imaging modalities for hydrocephalus will be given and their pros and cons discussed. In addition, different aspects of the treatment of hydrocephalus by shunts and by ETV will be highlighted. Discussion The role of the technical aspects of performing an ETV, the role of the surgeon’s philosophy, the role of the urgency of the procedure, and the role of informed consent on the requirements for the imaging of the hydrocephalus will be discussed. Conclusion The authors conclude that MRI is a conditio sine qua non for ETV in elective surgical cases.     

完全神经内镜下经Poppen锁孔入路松果体区手术的应用解剖学研究

目的 解剖观察完全神经内镜下经Poppen锁孔入路开颅松果体区手术的相关解剖结构及其特征,并探讨该术式的可行性。方法 选取12具经10%甲醛固定、红蓝乳胶灌注的成人尸头湿标本进行实验观察,其中男7例、女5例,年龄34~71岁。应用随机数字表法将12具标本随机分为内镜组和显微组,每组6具,分别采用完全神经内镜Poppen锁孔入路和显微镜常规Poppen入路进行模拟开颅手术松果体区手术。模拟手术中,利用神经导航对松果体区以及手术间隙进行观察测量：（1）观察2组松果体区重要解剖结构;（2）内镜组术中,于剪开小脑幕前后,分别测量松果体区暴露面积,并采用配对t检验进行比较;（3）内镜组与显微镜组术中,分别测量第1、2、3手术间隙的暴露面积,并采用独立样本t检验进行组间比较;（4）其他重要解剖结构间距的神经内镜测量。结果 （1）2种入路均可观察到双侧基底静脉、小脑中脑裂静脉、大脑内静脉、大脑后动脉、小脑上动脉等重要血管,以及滑车神经、四叠体、胼胝体压部和松果体等重要解剖结构,但显微镜常规Poppen入路的手术通道狭窄、倾斜,视野局限。（2）内镜组模拟手术中,剪开小脑幕前后松果体区显露面积分别为（73.14±3.38）mm²和（127.77±7.90）mm²,剪开后明显大于剪开前,差异有统计学意义（t=28.84,P<0.001）。（3）内镜组和显微镜组模拟手术中,第1、2、3手术间隙的暴露面积分别为（20.93±2.49）mm²、（72.55±4.18）mm²、（208.57±11.79）mm²和（9.12±1.12）mm²、（53.45±3.17）mm²、（175.29±9.98）mm²,内镜组均大于显微镜组,差异均有统计学意义（t=14.92、12.61、7.41,P值均<0.001）。（4）神经内镜测量显示：双侧基底静脉最大距离为（14.41±0.94）mm,双侧小脑中脑裂静脉最大距离为（8.23±0.84）mm,双侧大脑内静脉最大距离为（8.41±0.96）mm,双侧大脑内静脉最小距离（第1间隙最窄长度）为（2.58±0.22）mm,松果体中心点至丘脑枕部中心点距离为（16.83±1.16）mm。结论 完全神经内镜下经Poppen锁孔入路模拟手术中间隙恒定,可安全到达松果体区;与显微镜常规Poppen入路相比,完全神经内镜Poppen锁孔入路的手术操作空间更大,松果体区显露得更充分。     

Idiopathic bilateral occlusion of the foramen of Monro: An unusual entity with varied clinical presentations

We review our experience with four patients who presented to our Medical Center from 2005–2015 with adult idiopathic occlusion of the foramen of Monro (FM). All patients underwent CT scanning and MRI. Standard MRI was performed in each patient to rule out a secondary cause of obstruction (T1-weighted without- and with gadolinium, T2-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery [FLAIR] and diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI] protocols). When occlusion of the FM appeared to be idiopathic, further high-resolution MRI with multiplanar reconstructions for evaluation of stenosis or an occluding membrane at the level of the FM was performed (T1-weighted without- and with gadolinium, T2-weighted 3D turbo spin-echo). Occlusion of the FM was due to unilateral stenosis and septum pellucidum deviation in two patients, to an occluding membrane in one, and to bilateral stenosis in one patient. Urgent surgical intervention is mandatory when there are signs of increased intracranial pressure while asymptomatic patients may be managed conservatively. In this patient series, truly bilateral stenotic obstruction of the FM was best managed with ventriculoperitoneal shunt and patients with membranous obstruction or unilateral stenosis with septum deviation were treated endoscopically.     

Neuroendoscopy in microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm: Technical note

Abstract

Miocrovascular decompression is an effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and hemifacial spasm (HFS). A complete cure cannot be obtained, and additional adjuncts for extended use of endoscopy are needed. The use of an endoscope combined with the operating microscope can enhance the surgeon’s ability to view deep structures during operation. We study the application of combined microsurgical and endoscopic techniques in 21 cases of HFS and 12 cases of TN. With these techniques the surgeon can explore the ventral aspect of the brainstem and cranial nerves without further retraction, can see the groove caused by compression of the offending artery, and can confirm the proper position of the prosthesis after attachment to the dura by fibrin glue. In HFS the most common offending vessels in 75% of cases were the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and in 25% of cases the vertebral artery (VA). In trigeminal neuralgia the offending vessel in 60% of cases was the superior cerebellar artery (SCA), and in 40% of cases the AICA. The overall success rate was 97% with minimal morbidity 3% (facial palsy) and no mortality. The aim of this work is to study advantages and disadvantages of using endoscopy during microvascular decompression for TN and HFS. [Neural Res 2000; 22: 522-526]     

经冠状缝-额中回入路神经内镜手术治疗高血压性基底节区出血的标准化流程分析

目的 总结一种简单实施、有效的、标准的经冠状缝-额中回入路神经内镜手术治疗高血压性基底节区出血的标准化流程。方法 回顾性分析2019年4月至2021年4月按统一标准实施的经冠状缝-额中回入路神经内镜手术治疗的48例高血压性基底节区出血的临床资料。术中未使用神经导航及3D-slicer等软件辅助定位。结果 术后24 h内复查头CT显示残余血肿量中位数为2.4（1.1~3.9）ml;血肿清除率中位数为94.0%（90.0%~98.0%）。无术后再出血。出院时GCS评分中位数为13（11~14）分。术后随访6~30个月（中位数15个月）,mRS评分0~2分35例,3~4分10例,5~6分3例。结论 神经内镜下经冠状缝-额中回入路手术治疗高血压性基底节区出血是一种简单易行的手术方式,无需神经导航及3D-slicer等软件辅助定位,可以取得良好的手术效果。     

神经内镜治疗自发性脑室出血的疗效分析

目的探讨神经内镜对自发性脑室出血手术治疗的疗效分析。方法收集2009年6月至2013年12月我院经CTA筛查的119例自发性脑室出血患者,分为2组:神经内镜手术组(NEG)48例、脑室外引流组(EVDG)71例,手术治疗均在48小时内进行;比较二组不同术式术后6小时颅脑cT,血肿清除率、术后并发症及术后6个月对患者进行ADIL预后分级等治疗效果评估。结果①血肿清除率:NEG明显优于EVDG(p0.01)。②术后片发症:发生率分别为1 2.5%、40.6%。NEG明显低于EVDG(p=0.048)。③术后6月ADI分级:NEG和EVDG术后6个月ADL预后评分恢复良好(ADL.Ⅰ~Ⅲ级)比例分别为:79.17%(38/48)、46.48%(33/71)。NEG术后6月ADL评分明显优于EVDG(p=0.001)。结论神经内镜组手术血肿清除率高、并发症少、预后好,优于脑室外引流手术组。     

Endoscopic assisted craniotomy for resection of fourth ventricular lesions and confirmation of aqueductal patency via a suboccipital median aperture approach

Adequate exposure to fourth ventricular (4V) lesions located adjacent to the cerebral aqueduct and superior medullary velum often mandates extensive telovelar dissection. We assessed the utility of endoscopic assistance via a median aperture approach during suboccipital resection of 4V lesions. We retrospectively reviewed a series of nine patients who underwent suboccipital resection of a 4V lesion via an endoscopic-assisted median aperture approach from 2011 to 2018. Our series included the following pathology: ependymoma (2), rosette-forming glioneuronal tumors (2), pilocytic astrocytoma (1), metastatic melanoma (1), epidermoid cyst (1), organized hematoma (1), and neurocysticercosis (1). Preoperative symptoms included headache (n = 8, 88.9%), nausea (n = 5, 55.6%), vomiting, dizziness, and gait disturbance (n = 4 each, 44.5%). In four cases, the endoscope was used for the majority of the resection or to resect additional tumor located rostrally in the 4V following maximal microscopic resection. In five patients, it was used to confirm extent of resection and patency of the cerebral aqueduct. Gross total resection was achieved in five patients (55.6%). No postoperative complications were attributed to use of the endoscope for additional resection. No patients required immediate CSF diversion, and one patient underwent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion over one year after initial biopsy/fenestration due to tumor progression. Our series is the first to demonstrate the utility of angled endoscopic assistance via a median aperture approach during microsurgical approaches for a variety of 4V lesions. Confirmation of patency of the cerebral aqueduct may help avoid requirements for CSF diversion.     

Tratamiento neuroendoscópico de quistes aracnoideos en edad pediátrica. Resultados de una serie de 20 pacientes

IntroductionNeuroendoscopy has become an effective and safe treatment for arachnoid cysts in the paediatric population. We review the paediatric patients with arachnoid cysts treated by neuroendoscopy in our hospital and analyse the results.Material and methodsA retrospective analysis of 20 patients operated on from 2005 to 2018. The variables assessed are: gender, age, clinical presentation, cyst site, presence of hydrocephalus and/or extra-axial collections, endoscopic procedures and complications. Procedure success is defined as an improvement in symptoms and reduction in cyst size until end of follow-up.ResultsOur series comprised 13 males and 7 females (mean age: 64.6 months, range: 4–172 months). The most frequent site was suprasellar-prepontine (7), followed by intraventricular (6), quadrigeminal (3), interhemispheric (2) and Sylvian (2).A total of 70% (14/20) of patients had hydrocephalus at diagnosis, which increased to 85% in suprasellar-prepontine cysts and 100% in quadrigeminal cysts. Only 4/14 patients with required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (median age at diagnosis: 12.5 months). Of these 4 patients, 3 developed severe shunt overdrainage.The procedure was successful in 60% (12/20) of the patients in the series. Success by location was 57% (4/7) in suprasellar cysts, 33% (1/3) in quadrigeminal cysts, 66% (4/6) in intraventricular cysts, 100% (2/2) in interhemispheric cysts and 50% (1/2) in Sylvian cysts. Treatment thus failed in 8 cases, with a mean time to failure of 12.12 months (range: 0-45 months). A new neuroendoscopic procedure was performed in 4 of these 8 cases (success in 2/4), a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed in 2 cases, a cystoperitoneal shunt was placed in 1 case and the remaining case was managed conservatively. Mean follow-up time was 52.45 months (range: 3-129 months).ConclusionsNeuroendoscopy is an effective and safe treatment for arachnoid cysts in paediatric patients that also enables managing associated hydrocephalus in most cases. The choice of neuroendoscopic procedure and success rate depend on cyst location. Younger patients have been found to have a higher shunt dependency rate. In these cases, measures to prevent shunt overdrainage are recommended.