Endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection of epithelial neoplasia of the colon

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) with curative intent has evolved into a safe and effective technique and is currently the gold standard for management of large colonic epithelial neoplasms. Piecemeal EMR is associated with a high risk of local recurrence requiring vigilant surveillance and repeat interventions. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was introduced in Japan for the management of early gastric cancer, and has recently been described for en bloc resection of colonic lesions greater than 20 mm. En bloc resection allows accurate histological assessment of the depth of invasion, minimizes the risk of local recurrence and helps determine additional therapy. Morphologic classification of lesions prior to resection allows prediction of depth of invasion and risk of nodal metastasis, allowing selection of the appropriate intervention. This review provides an overview of the assessment of epithelial neoplasms of the colon and the application of EMR and ESD techniques in their management.     

Endoscopic resection of an anterior skull‐base Schwannoma

Sinonasal Schwannomas represent less than 4% of all head and neck Schwannomas. These neural sheath tumors arise from the ophthalmic and maxillary divisions of the trigeminal nerve, as well as autonomic nerves from sympathetic fibers of the carotid plexus and parasympathetic fibers of the sphenopalatine ganglion. Patients commonly present with nonspecific symptoms such as nasal obstruction, epistaxis, and anosmia. Nasal endoscopy usually reveals a unilateral polypoid mass. Diagnostic imaging with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) is typically nonspecific. Diagnosis may be delayed due to the masquerade of common sinonasal conditions, such as allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. We report a case involving a 51‐year‐old male with an anterior skull‐base Schwannoma that was excised endoscopically. Clinical features, imaging characteristics, histopathology, and treatment of sinonasal Schwannomas are discussed. © 2011 ARS–AAOA, LLC.     

Early outcomes of endoscopic endonasal approach pituitary adenomas resection with minimal nasal injury

To report the results of a consecutive series of pituitary adenomas resected through endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) with minimal nasal injury.Retrospectively review tumor characteristics and surgical outcomes of a consecutive series of EEA pituitary adenomas resection performed mainly by a single author between March 2018 and June 2019.A total of 75 endoscopic endonasal approach pituitary adenoma resections were performed by the authors’ team. Of the 75 patients, 28 through mononostril EEA, 47 through Binonostril EEA. Hadad-Bassagasteguy vascularized nasoseptal flap was harvested in only 4 (5.3%) patients with a high risk of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, and one side middle turbinate only been resected in 2 (2.7%) patients, other patients preserved bilateral middle turbinate. Of the 75 patients, gross total resection is 74.7%, near-total resection is 16.0%. Endocrinological remission was achieved in 76.9% of GH-secreting adenomas, 61.5% of prolactin-secreting adenomas. The postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak rate was 2.7%. Two patients had suprasellar hemorrhage, 1 patient had perioperative stroke, 2 patients had permanent diabetes insipidus, no cranial nerve deficits, internal carotid artery injury, anosmia, and death. The sino-nasal function was measured with the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 and visual analog scale for olfaction preoperatively and postoperatively, and there was no statistically significant difference.The EEA is an effective approach to resect pituitary adenomas, the gross total resection and near-total resection rate and endocrinological remission rate are satisfactory. The EEA is a safe approach, as the complication rate is acceptable compared with those reported in the previous series of microscopic and endoscopic approaches. These results can be achieved with minimal nasal injury.     

Skull‐base surgery during the COVID‐19 pandemic: the Italian Skull Base Society recommendations

Severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), is highly contagious with devastating impacts for healthcare systems worldwide. Medical staff are at high risk of viral contamination and it is imperative to know what personal protective equipment (PPE) is appropriate for each situation. Furthermore, elective clinics and operations have been reduced in order to mobilize manpower to the acute specialties combating the outbreak; appropriate differentiation between patients who require immediate care and those who can receive telephone consultation or whose treatment might viably be postponed is therefore crucial. Italy was 1 of the earliest and hardest‐hit European countries and therefore the Italian Skull Base Society board has promulgated specific recommendations based on consensus best practices and the literature, where available. Only urgent surgical operations are recommended and all patients should be tested at least twice (on days 4 and 2 prior to surgery). For positive patients, procedures should be postponed until after swab test negativization. If the procedure is vital to the survival of the patient, filtering facepiece 3 (FFP3) and/or powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) devices, goggles, full‐face visor, double gloves, water‐resistant gowns, and protective caps are mandatory. For negative patients, use of at least an FFP2 mask is recommended. In all cases the use of drills, which promote the aerosolization of potentially infected mucous particles, should be avoided. Given the potential neurotropism of SARS‐CoV‐2, dura handling should be minimized. It is only through widely‐agreed protocols and teamwork that we will be able to deal with the evolving and complex implications of this new pandemic.     

Accessory maxillary ostium repair using middle turbinate flap: a case series of 116 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Background

The ostiomeatal complex (OMC), comprising a small natural maxillary sinus ostium and narrow infundibulum, transmits the air diffusion into the antrum and mucociliary transport from the antrum, and is considered a key area in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Thin membranous anterior and posterior fontanelle areas below the OMC can rupture forming a perforation, accessory maxillary ostium (AMO), that increases antral airflow changing the anatomy and function of the sinus. The purpose of this study was to report the first case series of CRS patients who had undergone repair of fontanelle defects aiming to reconstruct normal structures.

Methods

Between 2011 and 2017, a total of 157 perforations were diagnosed and repaired in 121 of 525 consecutive endoscopic sinus operations performed by the author. Defects were 3 mm to 4 mm in size (range, 1 mm to 7 mm). A flap cut from the undersurface of the middle turbinate was used. In total, 101 patients received concurrent balloon catheter dilation (BCD), while 15 patients had only an AMO repair. The mean endoscopic follow‐up time was 16 weeks (range, 1 to 188 weeks).

Results

Overall, 101 perforations were closed, 21 open, and 17 partially open. A history of earlier endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) or BCD surgery, presence of nasal polyposis or whether the repair was made without simultaneous BCD did not influence the closure rate. Postoperative febrile sinusitis occurred in 26 patients.

Conclusion

Repair of AMO is in theory a beneficial and technically feasible office procedure with only transient side effects. Three out of 4 perforations were closed after repair.