Akustikusneurinome (Vestibularisschwannome)

During the last century microsurgical approaches laid emphasis in descending order on preservation of life, total tumor excision and function. Today, the priority of microsurgery has changed to functional preservation. The management of vestibular schwannomas consists of observation, surgical resection, or radiation therapy. In recent years, there has been an increase in observation-only management for small tumors, or radiotherapy in the case of tumor progression. The number of surgical procedures is in decline, with surgery being reserved mainly for large tumors.     

The treatment of small acoustic tumors: Now or later?

Prior to the advent of microneurosurgery, the operative mortality for acoustic tumor removal was high and management often consisted of observation until sufficient symptoms warranted removal. The treatment of these tumors has evolved, and recent introduction of gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows the diagnosis of very small intracanalicular acoustic tumors before hearing has been significantly affected. For such tumors, some surgeons advocate the premicrosurgical philosophy of observation rather than removal. Our results of small acoustic tumor removal with attempt at hearing preservation were reviewed. From 1961 to June 1989, 39 acoustic tumors 0.5 cm or less were removed by the middle fossa approach. Measurable hearing was preserved in 67%, and facial function 1 year postoperatively was normal or nearly normal in 97%. There was no other permanent operative morbidity. Given our results, early surgical removal of small acoustic tumors is advocated.     

Carotid body tumors

The surgical management of carotid body tumors requires identification and preservation of neural and vascular structures without compromising resection of the neoplasm. Fifteen patients were examined and treated for carotid body tumors at the Cleveland (Ohio) Clinic Foundation from 1979 through 1987. The benchmark of diagnosis is bilateral carotid angiography. When neural structures are free of tumor, meticulous dissection facilitates their preservation. Large tumor size increases risk for arterial resection necessitating reconstruction. The use of a vascular shunt minimizes the risk of cerebral ischemia. Postoperative intravenous digital subtraction angiography allows for evaluation of arterial repair. A retrospective review of 15 carotid body tumor resections performed in 14 patients revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence, no mortality associated with surgical intervention, no postoperative cerebrovascular accident, and limited morbidity associated with unavoidable sacrifice of neural elements.     

Management of bilateral acoustic tumors

Bilateral acoustic tumors, often felt to represent a central form of von Recklinghausen's disease, pose a particularly challenging problem to the otologist. This retrospective study reviews the evaluation and surgical results in 15 patients with bilateral acoustic tumors from whom 23 tumors were removed. Early diagnosis can be achieved by clinical awareness of the disease, thorough radiologic evaluation, and appropriate family screening. Total tumor removal with preservation of hearing is usually possible if the lesion is not larger than 1.0 cm. Total removal with hearing preservation is usually not possible if the lesion is larger than 2.0 cm. Hydrocephalus and additional tumors can complicate the overall clinical picture. Guidelines for appropriate management of bilateral acoustic tumors are based on tumor size, hearing sensitivity, and associated intracranial pathology.     

Management of acoustic schwannoma

PURPOSE: To discuss the optimal management for patients with acoustic schwannoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of the pertinent literature. RESULTS: Microsurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and fractionated radiotherapy result in cure rates that approximate 90% at 5 years. Depending on tumor extent and surgical approach, the morbidity of microsurgery may exceed that of stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated radiotherapy. Patients with useful hearing before treatment may have a higher likelihood of hearing preservation after radiotherapy compared with radiosurgery. CONCLUSION: Both microsurgery and radiosurgery are good options for patients with tumors less than 3 cm. Depending on tumor extent and the surgical approach, the morbidity of microsurgery may exceed that of radiosurgery. Patients with useful hearing may have a higher likelihood of hearing preservation after radiotherapy. Microsurgery is preferred for patients in whom the disease progresses after initial irradiation and in patients with tumors larger than 3 cm.     

Management of bilateral acoustic tumors

Bilateral acoustic tumors (Neurofibromatosis 2) have now been shown to arise in patients with gene abnormalities separate from those with von Recklinghausen's disease (Neurofibromatosis 1). The management of patients with this disease has long posed a particularly challenging problem for the neurotologist. This retrospective study reviews our series of 38 patients and updates a previous report. Thirty-four patients underwent surgical excision of tumors on one or both sides. Hearing conservation was attempted in 20 with hearing preservation possible in eight. Recent advances in understanding the hereditary etiology of this disease, changing methods for diagnosis, preferred surgical techniques, and guidelines for appropriate patient management are discussed.     

Glomus tumors in patients of advanced age: a conservative approach

OBJECTIVES: Identify and discuss controversies in the management of paragangliomas in elderly patients.Assess and evaluate a conservative treatment strategy involving limited surgical resection and vigilant monitoring of the outcome measures of tumor control, peritreatment morbidity, symptom resolution, and hearing preservation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. METHODS: All of the patients in this study were over age 60 with temporal bone glomus tumors. Primary outcome assessment included length of hospitalization, perioperative morbidity, symptom resolution, hearing preservation, and long-term tumor control. RESULTS: Twelve female patients with mean age of 74.5 years (range 61-85 years) with follow-up from 24 months to 33 years (mean/median: 5/7.8 years) were identified. Nine (75%) of the patients presented with pulsatile tinnitus.Seven patients (58%) underwent surgical excision of the middle ear component of the paraganglioma. Tumors extending to the jugular foramen were purposely not resected. Five patients (45%) had relative or absolute contraindications to surgical resection and were treated with observation or primary radiation therapy. Post-treatment audiometric evaluation confirmed stable or improved hearing. Pulsatile tinnitus resolved in all patients. No patient experienced cranial nerve deficits, extended hospitalization, or blood transfusions.All patients were followed closely with radiological imaging. The majority of patients demonstrated no disease or stable disease, while two patients demonstrated tumor growth 6 years after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: A prolonged natural history and the morbidity associated with surgical intervention have led to controversies in the treatment of glomus tumors in an elderly population. Our experience supports recent limited reports advocating conservative surgical excision and vigilant long-term monitoring in this population.     

Clinico-pathological findings of recurrent pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland]

We analyzed the clinical courses and pathological findings of six recurrent benign pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland, compared with fifty-nine primary pleomorphic tumors. Primary cases were treated with extirpation of a tumor nodule with a surrounding area of parotid tissue with preservation of the facial nerve. Of the 59 patients, 42 who had follow-up information have had no recurrent tumors during a average 6.6 years follow up period. On the other hand, all six recurrent cases had received surgical enucleation or excisions elsewhere. To avoid the recurrence of the primary pleomorphic adenoma it was considered to be very important to remove a tumor completely without damaging the tumor capsule. CT scan is very useful to know the relationship between the recurrent tumor and the surrounding important organs. In order to determine the surgical approach and procedures for those cases, it is important to obtain the information of the previous pathological diagnosis or surgical procedures. For the recurrent tumor, complete extirpation of the tumor and surrounding operative scar was necessary for the management of the tumor. When the tumor was tightly adhesive with the facial nerve, sacrifice of the nerve and immediate nerve transplantation might be required.     

Results of surgery by the modified extended middle cranial fossa approach in 100 patients with acoustic neuroma

The results of surgery by the middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach or the modified extended MCF approach in 100 patients with acoustic neuroma are reported. The rates of facial nerve preservation, tumor removal, and hearing preservation were reported and discussed. This surgical procedure can be applied to tumors of any size, from tumors confined to the internal auditory canal to those extending into the posterior fossa.     

Surgical procedure for Warthin's tumor in the parotid gland

Warthin's tumor is benign and exclusively involves the parotid gland but may, however, often show multifocal and/or bilateral growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical procedure for removal of this tumor. Sixty patients with Warthin's tumor in the parotid gland who presented at the Kansai Medical University Hospital from 1990 to 1999 were the subjects of the present study. The surgical procedures were as follows. We performed enucleation for tumors in the deep lobe. Tumors in the superficial lobe were resected with partial parotidectomy, and an enucleative procedure was also performed at the bottom of the tumor where the tumor capsule directly touched the facial nerve. No recurrence was observed in all sixty cases including cases of rupture of the capsule before or during surgery. Therefore, we recommend that enucleation is a useful choice as a surgical procedure for the removal of Warthin's tumor after accurate detection of the tumors using MRI. The overall incidences of temporary and permanent facial nerve palsy were 19.7% and 0%, respectively. The incidence of palsy increased after surgery for multiple tumors or deep lobe tumors. These findings indicate that more careful consideration for preservation of the facial nerve should be given in such cases and that simultaneous surgery for such tumors in the bilateral parotid glands should be avoided to prevent bilateral facial nerve palsy.     

Selective deep lobe parotid surgery for benign tumors

Conclusions: Deep-lobe tumor parotidectomy decreases the incidence of parotidectomy post-surgical complications, preserves parotid function, and has a good esthetic appearance. Objective: The existing surgical technique in the parotidectomy of deep-lobe benign tumors can be improved. Methods: Fourteen surgical operations were performed (2004–2015) for selective deep lobe parotidectomy for patients with primary benign parotid tumors. The patients with deep-lobe benign tumors were operated on with the method of superficial lobe preservation, which included methylene blue staining of the gland and intra-operative facial nerve detection. Results: During follow-up, no cases of tumor recurrence, permanent facial nerve injury, postparotidectomy depression, or Frey’s syndrome was found.     

颈静脉孔区肿瘤的手术治疗

目的 探讨颈静脉孔区肿瘤的临床表现、影像学特征、手术方法、治疗结果以及少见特殊病理类型肿瘤的临床特征,分析术前评估、围手术期处理、手术技术与经验对全切肿瘤及预防并发症的意义.方法 回顾性分析1985年至2007年42例颈静脉孔区肿瘤的临床资料,包括31例颈静脉球瘤和11例特殊病理类型肿瘤.术前均进行系统的颞骨影像学检查,并根据情况选择血管造影和肿瘤供血血管栓塞.颈静脉球瘤的切除选择颞下窝A入路或联合耳蜗迷路入路,特殊病理类型肿瘤选择颞下窝A型入路、扩大乳突切除或乳突颈侧入路.结果 42例肿瘤分类均为Fisch分型c类以上,均已侵犯后颅窝.31例颈静脉球瘤主要临床表现为耳鸣、听力下降、周围性面神经麻痹;11例特殊类型肿瘤临床表现不具特征性,其中5例为CT及MRI检查偶然发现.本组肿瘤的全切率为81%(34/42).面神经的处理方式包括永久性面神经向前移位19例,保留面神经骨桥16例,神经间位移植4例,面-副神经吻合2例和而-舌下神经吻合1例.结论 颈静脉孔区肿瘤的手术入路选择取决于术前评估的结果,肿瘤的侵犯范围、特点、而神经及颈内动脉受累的情况是评估的重要内容.颞下窝A型入路可满足大多数颈静脉孔区肿瘤的切除要求.对于可能需要牺牲颈内动脉的病例,术前必须进行球囊栓塞试验.     

Symposium: management of tumors of the parotid gland.

The successful management of swellings in the parotid gland region is dependent upon the establishment of a clinical and/or histologic diagnosis of the condition responsible for the production of the abnormal swelling. All mobile parotid tumors are removed as an excisional biopsy with preservation of the facial nerve. A preoperative biopsy will not influence the subsequent management of these lesions. An aspiration biopsy is employed to evaluate all primary, previously undiagnosed, non-ulcerative parotid tumors suspected of being clinically malignant. An experienced pathologist views with confidence evaluation of solid material that has been carefully separated from the aspirated specimen. It is our opinion that when the biopsy tract is removed with the tumor, there is less risk of surgical wound contamination by tumor than when there is an incisional biopsy or incomplete excision of the tumor for frozen or permanent section diagnosis. One should not expect to derive as much information from an aspiration biopsy as may be derived from a formal incisional biopsy. If the histologic interpretation of the aspirated material is inconclusive, one may proceed to accept the added risk of an open biopsy. If it is known preoperatively that the tumor is malignant, that it is other than a low grade cancer, and that the tumor should be treated surgically, management of the facial nerve and the cervical nodes may be anticipated. This may be accomplished by an aspiration biopsy.     

Surgical management of previously untreated glomus jugulare tumors

The treatment of glomus jugulare tumors is controversial. Changes in the surgical treatment of glomus jugulare tumors at The House Ear Clinic have allowed complete resection in 85% of patients with minimal morbidity and no surgical mortalities. Our experience with 52 previously untreated patients with glomus jugulare tumors is reviewed. Two primary surgical techniques were used. The mastoid/neck approach was used in 9 patients with small tumors limited to the jugular bulb. The infratemporal fossa approach was used in the remaining 43 tumors. Lower cranial nerve preservation was possible in the majority of patients with normal preoperative function. Modifications in the management of the facial nerve during the infratemporal fossa approach have resulted in good recovery of facial function (House grade I/VI or II/VI) in 95% of patients. Most patients (85%) were able to fully resume all preoperative activities. Our results suggest that surgical management is the treatment of choice in younger patients with glomus jugulare tumors.     

Parotid gland tumors: a retrospective study of 154 patients

IntroductionBenign tumors of the parotid gland comprise the majority of salivary gland tumors.ObjectiveTo review the clinical characteristics of parotid gland tumors submitted to surgical treatment by the same surgeon.MethodsRetrospective study with 154 patients who had parotid gland tumors. Clinical and histological data, type of surgery, and complications were assessed and described.ResultsThe main manifestation was a mass with a median evolution of 12 months for benign tumors and five months for malignant tumors. Ultrasonography was the most frequent complementary exam. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common of the benign tumors, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most frequent malignant tumor. Superficial parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve was the most common surgical procedure and reversible paresis of branches of the facial nerve was the most common complication.ConclusionsPleomorphic adenoma is the most common parotid gland tumor and superficial parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve is the most common and appropriate treatment for most low-morbidity tumors.     

A systematic approach to the surgical management of acoustic neuroma

Contemporary otomicrosurgical techniques have made total removal of acoustic tumor with preservation of the seventh and sometimes the eighth cranial nerves possible. The four approaches currently used in acoustic tumor surgery are the middle cranial fossa, the translabyrinthine, the suboccipital, and the combined translabyrinthine-suboccipital. This review examines the surgical results in the removal of more than 600 acoustic tumors and outlines a rationale for the choice of approach. Tumor size on computed tomographic scan and auditory reserve establish the parameters used in planning the surgical procedure. The translabyrinthine exposure is used most frequently followed by the combined translabyrinthine-suboccipital. The middle fossa and suboccipital approaches are used when preservation of hearing is attempted. Total removal of tumor was accomplished in more than 99% of patients with a mortality rate of less than 1%. Anatomic preservation of the facial nerve, which is directly related to tumor size, was achieved in more than 80% of patients. Preservation of hearing is unlikely when the tumor is larger than 2 cm; anatomic preservation of the cochlear nerve was successful in 73% of hearing preservation procedures.     

Glomus tympanicum tumors: contemporary concepts in conservation surgery

The management of glomus tympanicum tumors is not a new subject. A review of the contemporary management concept is, however, needed for two reasons: 1. the recent literature has suggested radiation therapy as a treatment option in this surgical disease, and 2. patients who are referred to us for management of these tumors continue to exhibit errors in diagnosis and surgical approaches that are unnecessarily radical. The purpose of this paper is to review the diagnosis of these lesions and to prospectively differentiate them from the more extensive jugulare tumors. When type and extent of the tumor are properly determined, a surgical procedure can be planned that conserves as much normal ear anatomy and function as possible. Between May 1970 and July 1988, 60 patients with glomus tympanicum tumors were treated at the Otology Group, P.C., in Nashville, Tennessee. In 47 patients (78%), the tumors were removed using an extended facial recess approach. The external auditory canal wall was removed in seven patients (12%), and six patients underwent a transcanal approach. Total tumor removal was obtained in 90% of patients. Surgical management remains the mainstay of treatment for glomus tympanicum tumors.     

The Learning Curve for Acoustic Tumor Surgery

Although operative experience is considered to be critically important in the surgical management of acoustic tumors, little objective evidence substantiates this claim. The present study was undertaken to determine whether a learning curve exists for acoustic tumor surgery. The first 96 acoustic tumor patients managed surgically by a new neurotologic team were retrospectively reviewed. A significant improvement (P<.0003; F=6.32) in the ability to achieve good(grade II or better) postoperative facial nerve function was identified. Improving trends for complete resection rate and hearing preservation were documented, and the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks declined; however, statistical significance was not achieved. For postoperative facial nerve function, approximately 60 cases were necessary before the new team achieved results similar to those of highly experienced surgeons. The frequencies of complete resection, CSF leaks, hearing preservation, stroke, and mortality were comparable to those of experienced neurotologic teams. The findings of this study may have implications for both patient care and physician training.     

Acoustic neuroma surgery: absent auditory brainstem response does not contraindicate attempted hearing preservation.

OBJECTIVE: Absence of auditory brainstem response (ABR) waveforms has been associated with a poor likelihood of hearing preservation following resection of acoustic neuromas. Our experience is reviewed for patients with absent preoperative ABR regarding hearing preservation, hearing improvement, and return of ABR. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of 22 cases of acoustic neuroma resection. Nine patients with absent preoperative ABR were identified. All underwent tumor resection utilizing intraoperative cochlear nerve action potential (CNAP) monitoring. Postoperative hearing results and ABR waveforms were examined. METHODS: Charts were reviewed and tabulated for age, sex, tumor side, tumor size, preoperative and postoperative audiometric and ABR results, intraoperative monitoring results by ABR and CNAP, and surgical complications. RESULTS: Hearing preservation was achieved in seven of nine patients (78%) with absent preoperative ABR, as well as six of seven patients (86%) with tumors less than or equal to 20 mm in greatest dimension. Although intraoperative ABR monitoring was not possible in any of these patients, CNAP monitoring was successful in all. Return of ABR waveforms was observed in four of the six patients (67%) tested from 3 to 22 months postoperatively. Four of the seven patients (57%) enjoyed improvement in hearing class as defined by the guidelines of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Absent ABR waveforms have not been a negative prognostic sign regarding hearing preservation. CNAP monitoring is possible in these patients and likely helps to minimize iatrogenic cochlear nerve trauma. Patients with no ABR waveforms have hope of hearing preservation and even improvement following acoustic neuroma resection performed utilizing CNAP monitoring and hearing preservation surgical techniques.