Treatment of craniopharyngiomas in children

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to assess, in a 25-year retrospective study, the clinical outcome in children with craniopharyngioma. PATIENT AND METHODS: From 1978 to 2002, 12 children younger than 15-year-old underwent treatment with surgery and/or radiotherapy for craniopharyngioma. The clinical course and outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: The median age was 7.3 years (range, 3 to 12 years) at the time of initial surgical resection. With a mean follow-up period of 132 months (range, 29 to 255 months), 1 patient died of tumor progression due to malignant transformation at 205 months after the initial surgery and the overall outcome was good in 11 patients. Out of 12 patients 4 presented a recurrence of their tumor, 2 after an apparently gross total removal. Because of tumor recurrence, 2 received conventional radiation therapy and 3 received gamma knife radiosurgery. There was neither operative mortality nor major complication. All patients required hormonal replacement postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The goal in the treatment of craniopharyngiomas is to achieve total removal without morbidity. Our results compared favorably with the previous reports in the literature. MRI follow-up should be performed even in patients whose primary tumor is resected "completely". Suitable combination of open surgery, conventional radiotherapy and gamma knife radiosurgery may result in optimal functional outcome. Recovery from postoperative pituitary dysfunction can be occasionally expected.     

原发性腹膜后肿瘤的诊断及治疗

目的 探讨原发性腹膜后肿瘤的诊断及治疗，提高早期诊断正确率与手术切除率。方法 回顾性分析了我院1990－2000年经手术证实的86例原发性腹膜后肿瘤临床资料。结果 69．7％患者以腹中，腰部肿块和／或腹痛就诊，术前确诊率为52．6％。获得随访62例，肿瘤完全切除者术后2年生存率为61．3％，姑息切除及探查活检者均在1年内死亡。良，恶性肿瘤完整切除率为81．3％，37％，复发率分别为15．4％，60％。16例术后复发，其中9例再次行手术切除。结论 早期诊断，首次手术的彻底性，术后定期复查是提高生存率的三个环节，复发者再次手术仍可获得临床疗效。     

Radical excision of craniopharyngioma. Results in 20 patients

A series is presented of 20 craniopharyngioma patients who were treated between 1977 and 1981. All 20 cases underwent radical tumor resection via a frontotemporal craniotomy, with a concomitant temporal tip resection. All operations were performed by the senior author. The operative mortality rate was 5%, and the major morbidity rate 22.2%. The average follow-up period was 3.1 years. The role of radical surgical extirpation in adults is emphasized: the results compare favorably with the current radiotherapeutic and more conservative surgical statistics.     

Microsurgical management of craniopharyngiomas.

A retrospective analysis of 34 patients who underwent microsurgical therapy for craniopharyngioma from 1975 to 1989, a period when CT imaging was routinely used, is presented. Mean follow-up was 6.4 years with no patients lost to follow-up. Those who underwent subtotal resection with adjuvant radiation had a significantly better recurrence-free interval compared with those who either underwent total or subtotal surgical resection only (p < 0.05 and p < 0.025). Among patients treated with surgery alone, the total resection group had a recurrence rate of 20% and those with a subtotal resection 60%. Those with subtotal resection and radiation had a 12% rate of recurrence. Endocrine and visual deficits were common after surgery. Based on this review, our results suggest that with a policy of attempted total resection where possible, subtotal removal along with adjuvant radiation, in cases where total resection was deemed unsafe, may be more effective than aggressive total resection alone as the initial management of craniopharyngioma.     

Meningiomas involving the optic nerve: technical aspects and outcomes for a series of 50 patients

OBJECTIVE: Surgical strategies and results for 50 patients with meningiomas involving the optic nerves are discussed and evaluated. Factors affecting the degree of resection and patient outcomes are presented. We emphasize our surgical techniques for resection of these tumors and we discuss the advantages of different approaches, depending on the relationship of the tumor to the optic nerves. METHODS: Data for 50 patients with meningiomas involving the optic nerves who were surgically treated between 1991 and 2002 were reviewed, by using patient files, operative notes, and pre- and postoperative imaging and ophthalmological examination findings. RESULTS: Thirty-one female patients and 19 male patients, with a mean age of 53 years, were treated. Thirty-one patients (62%) underwent complete tumor removal (Simpson Grade 1 or 2), and 19 patients underwent subtotal removal (Grade 4). Factors affecting the grade of resection were tumor size (P = 0.01), location (P = 0.007), and internal carotid artery encasement (P = 0.019). Patients who underwent Grade 1 or 2 resection exhibited a mean tumor size of 3.0 cm, and patients who underwent Grade 4 resection exhibited a mean tumor size of 4.1 cm. Only three patients had residual tumor on the optic nerve; all others had tumor in the cavernous sinus or at the orbital apex or exhibited vascular involvement. Visual outcomes were influenced predominantly by tumor size, preoperative visual function, and optic nerve encasement. CONCLUSION: Meningiomas that involve the optic nerves require special considerations and surgical techniques. Early decompression of the optic nerve within the bony canal allows identification and separation of the tumor from the nerve, permitting removal of the tumor from this area with minimal manipulation of the optic nerve.     

Surgical management of complications of fiberoptic colonoscopy.

A variety of complications are associated with fiberoptic colonoscopy. Life-threatening complications such as perforation and hemorrhage may require surgical intervention. The records of all patients who underwent fiberoptic colonoscopy, with or without biopsy, polypectomy, electrocoagulation, or laser therapy at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center were reviewed. Thirteen of 21 perforations occurred during polypectomy, laser therapy, or difficult diagnostic colonoscopy. Eight patients developed a perforation after an uneventful diagnostic colonoscopy. Three patients required operative control of hemorrhage following polypectomy and one after multipolar electrocoagulation (BICAP) therapy for a cecal arteriovenous malformation. Two patients had benign pneumoperitoneum and one a retained polyp snare. Of the 28 patients in this entire series, 26 underwent operative resection or repair. Seventeen (65%) of the latter group underwent primary resection or closure of perforation without protective fecal diversion. Only one (5.9%) septic complication occurred in this group. Twelve patients in the perforation group (57%) underwent primary resection with anastomosis or closure of perforation without fecal diversion. One (8.3%) developed a septic complication. In this entire series, four deaths (14.3%) occurred, all of which were in the perforation group. Delay in diagnosis of perforation was the main factor contributing to death. No patient died of hemorrhage, benign pneumoperitoneum, or retained polyp snare. The key to successful outcome in perforation is early diagnosis and prompt operative intervention.     

Timing of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in head and neck cancer patients.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an effective method for providing alimentation in patients with upper aerodigestive tract carcinoma. Multiple complications of this procedure have been reported, ranging from leakage around the tube to tumor seeding of the abdominal cavity. This study was undertaken to determine whether the timing of PEG tube placement with respect to primary tumor extirpation led to a difference in the number and severity of observed complications. The medical records of 43 patients with head and neck carcinoma who had PEG tubes placed from 1995 to 1996 were retrospectively reviewed. Comparisons of timing of PEG tube placement, complication, location, and stage of the primary tumor were performed. In addition, the use of adjuvant therapy with respect to the time of PEG tube placement and complications was evaluated. Of these, 23% were done before and 30% during surgery at the time of primary tumor resection (9 of 13 were after primary removal). One patient had an intraabdominal abscess. Minor complications occurred in 15 of 43 patients (35%) and included granulation tissue at the PEG site, leakage, and tube displacement. Eight of the 9 patients who underwent intraoperative PEG after tumor resection had no complications. Patients who underwent PEG during or after surgery had significantly fewer complications than those who underwent preoperative PEG or had unresectable tumors (P = 0.038). The largest number of complications occurred in patients who underwent preoperative PEG (57%) followed by patients whose tumors were unresectable (31%). There was no statistical difference with regard to tumor location or postoperative x-ray therapy in PEG complications. This study demonstrates that PEG tube placement after tumor resection has the lowest incidence of postoperative complications. Performing PEGs intraoperatively after tumor resection can prevent the need for additional anesthesia to provide alimentation in patients with upper aerodigestive tract carcinoma.     

Gastrointestinal lymphoma. A case for primary surgical resection

The cases of 42 consecutive patients with primary gastrointestinal lymphoma were reviewed to compare the risks and outcomes of different primary treatment modalities. Among patients with localized disease (stages I and II), 12 underwent complete tumor resection and 6 underwent radiation therapy; 5-year survival was 82% and 50%, respectively. Among patients with disseminated disease (stages III and IV), 6 underwent resection of the primary tumor followed by chemotherapy and 18 were treated with radiation and chemotherapy; 5-year survival was 81% and 6%, respectively. Five patients who did not undergo surgical resection before radiation therapy or chemotherapy developed severe life-threatening complications from their primary tumor. Surgical resection before the administration of other therapy should be performed when the patient is considered to be a surgical candidate and resection of the primary tumor is deemed feasible.     

Successful Treatment of Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma Originating in the Chest Wall: Report of a Case

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) rarely originates in the chest wall, so its clinical features are not well defined. We report a case of MFH that recurred locally 3 years after primary resection. The patient, a 59-year-old woman, underwent wide excision, and is alive without recurrence 7 months after the operation. We reviewed the clinical features and treatment strategies of the total 39 cases of MFH originating in the chest wall reported from Japan. The fact that all patients who underwent wide excision with negative margins at the primary operation were alive without recurrence at the time of each report, despite a local recurrence rate as high as 40%, shows the importance of this operative strategy. Thus, early diagnosis of MFH of the chest wall is essential for improving the outcome of these patients. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radiation therapy may be worthwhile for patients with advanced disease.     

Ectopic recurrent craniopharyngioma of the frontal bone

Ectopic recurrence of craniopharyngioma is a rare phenomenon after transcranial resection of the primary tumor. The authors present a case of ectopic recurrent adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma of the frontal bone resected 16 years after initial transcranial resection of the primary tumor. The lesion was first radiographically described 12 years after surgery and was adjacent to the osteosynthesis plate that had been implanted at the craniotomy site. The recurrent craniopharyngioma was totally resected via a lateral eyebrow approach. No infiltration of the meninges or the brain was detected. Only 50 cases of ectopic recurrent craniopharyngioma have been described to date, with the present case being the first one with recurrence located at the skull bone. So far 2 mechanisms have been described: contamination with tumor cells alongside the surgical tract and spreading via CSF and the subarachnoid space. The authors reviewed the literature, provided the largest collection of cases so far, and performed basic statistical analysis regarding ectopic recurrence. Pediatric and adult patients as well as male and female ones are affected equally by this phenomenon. The mean time of ectopic recurrence after initial surgery was 7.1 years. Ectopic recurrence, although rare, should always be considered in a patient with a newly diagnosed intracranial lesion who has undergone transcranial craniopharyngioma resection before.     

Laparoscopic resection of adrenal cortical carcinoma: a cautionary note

BACKGROUND: While laparoscopic removal of small, benign, functioning adrenal tumors is accepted, laparoscopic resection of adrenal tumors that may be adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) remains controversial. METHODS: The records of all patients with ACC evaluated at a single institution from 1991 through 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among 170 patients with ACC, 153 patients underwent open anterior adrenalectomy, 6 underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy, 1 was treated via an open flank approach, and 10 had no operation. At a median follow-up of 28 months, 115 (86%) of 133 patients who had undergone open anterior resection of primary ACC had had a recurrence. Local recurrence and peritoneal carcinomatosis were components of initial failure in 46 (35%) and 11 patients (8%), respectively. In contrast, all 6 patients who underwent laparoscopic resection of ACC had recurrences, and peritoneal carcinomatosis was a component of initial failure in 5 (83%) of them (open vs laparoscopic resection, Fisher exact test P = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection of ACC is associated with a high risk of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Open adrenalectomy remains the standard of care for patients presenting with an adrenal cortical tumor for which ACC is in the differential diagnosis.     

The feasibility of a limited operation for primary lung cancer]

We reviewed 33 patients who underwent a limited operation for primary lung cancer between 1980 and 1998. These cases were divided into three groups; a poor risk group consisting of 18 patients who had a high risk such as pulmonary or cardiac dysfunction and who underwent partial resection of a lung, a reduction group consisting of 9 patients who had advanced lung cancer or uncontrolled cancer of an organ other than the lung and who underwent partial resection, and an active limited operation group consisting of 6 patients who underwent segmentectomy with lymphoadenectomy for the treatment of early lung cancer. The 1 and 3-year survival rates in the poor risk group, reduction group and active limited operation group were 73.9, 60.0, 100%, and 63.4, 0.0, 100%, respectively. The results of limited operations performed for poor risk cases were satisfactory in terms of both functional state and prognosis. Limited operations performed to reduce tumor in advanced lung cancer cases did not improve the prognosis. Although an active limited operation for a case of early lung cancer remains controversial with respect to indication, it is thought that this operation is not inferior to a standard radical operation (lobotomy with mediastinal lymphoadenectomy) in selective cases in which the maximum tumor diameter is 2 cm or less. The indication for a limited operation must be further examined from aspects of tumor size, tumor histology and the other factors of the tumor.     

Extended transsphenoidal surgery for suprasellar craniopharyngiomas: infrachiasmatic radical resection combined with or without a suprachiasmatic trans-lamina terminalis approach

BACKGROUND: An extended transsphenoidal approach allowed for direct midline exposure of the parasellar structures such as the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and the third ventricle. To evaluate the capability of this approach for removal of suprasellar craniopharyngiomas, surgical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. METHODS: During a 9-year period, 20 consecutive patients with suprasellar craniopharyngioma underwent transsphenoidal tumor resection. The average follow-up period was 55 months. No patient had a purely intrasellar tumor, 9 had prechiasmatic tumors, 9 had retrochiasmatic tumors, and 2 had purely intraventricular tumors. RESULTS: Total resection was achieved in 86% of operations. Even in mostly intraventricular cases, a transsphenoidal trans-lamina terminalis approach afforded complete resection. Visual improvement and preservation of the pituitary stalk were achieved in 84% and 95% of cases, respectively. New postoperative deterioration of pituitary function occurred in about 65% of cases, and no patient resolved their preoperative hormonal disturbance after surgery. The overall percentage of patients with diabetes insipidus increased to 61% postoperatively from 11% preoperatively. Nonendocrinologic surgical complications were observed: worsening of vision in 3 patients, hyperphagia in 3 patients, short-term memory loss in 2 patients, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 3 patients. Recurrence after total resection occurred in 2 (11%) patients with retrochiasmatic tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Reasonable surgical results in this study suggest that the extended transsphenoidal approach is safe and effective for removal of craniopharyngiomas. Although preservation of the pituitary stalk can be achieved in a high percentage of patients, postoperative endocrinopathy still remains as a significant problem after radical removal of the craniopharyngioma.     

Early Gastric Cancer: Unrecognized Indicator of Multiple Malignancies

The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative outcome and occurrence of second primary malignancies in patients who underwent radical resection for early gastric cancer. Altogether 105 patients with early gastric cancer underwent radical resection and were followed up for a median period of 71 months. Overall lethality was analyzed with regard to mortality due to gastric cancer or other causes. Standardized mortality and morbidity ratios were calculated using data from the Tumor Registry of Lombardy. The 5-year survival rate was 82.8% (operative mortality excluded), which was not different from that expected from an age- and sex-matched Italian population. Ten second primary malignancies were identified, giving a standardized mortality ratio of 1.12 and a standardized morbidity ratio of 1.50. Patients undergoing surgery for early gastric cancer (especially the intestinal type) may have a circa 50% higher risk of a second tumor and should be periodically checked for other tumors, mainly in the supramesocolic area.     

高龄原发性肝癌病人的手术治疗

我院自１９８２年２月－１９９４年１１月手术治疗７０岁以上高龄原发性肝癌患者共３０例，其中剖腹探醒２例，肝切除２８例，手术切除率９３．３％。本组无手术死亡，术后并发症发生率为２０％，均经及时处理痊愈出院。     

改良翼点入路颅咽管瘤的显微外科治疗

目的 探讨改良翼点入路显微手术治疗颅咽管瘤(craniopharyngioma,CP)的临床效果.方法 回顾性总结采用改良翼点入路显微手术切除颅咽管瘤41例.术前准备主要是进行激素的替代疗法和癫痫的预防.手术采用改良翼点入路,术后观察患者的神志、血压、出入水量、尿量、尿比重、电解质及CT、MRI等指标,及时防治尿崩症和电解质紊乱等并发症,预防癫痫和激素水平低下.结果 手术全切除33例,次全切除5例,部分切除3例,无手术死亡.术后随访2～19个月,可正常参加生活、学习、工作正常者32例,生活需要帮助者9例,次全切除及部分切除的8例中3例于术后6～12个月复发.结论 采用改良翼点入路并结合积极有效的围手术期处理可以降低下丘脑损伤的发生率和提高肿瘤的切除率,获得良好的疗效.     

Multiple primary bronchogenic carcinomas: treatment and follow-up

A second primary bronchogenic carcinoma subsequently developed 8 to 156 months later in 19 patients who underwent curative resection of primary bronchogenic carcinomas. The second primary tumor was treated by surgical resection in 9 patients, 3 patients' tumors were considered unresectable, and the remaining 7 patients, despite having potentially resectable tumors, did not undergo resection because of insufficient pulmonary reserve or unwillingness to undergo resection. Actuarial life-table analysis of survival for the 9 patients who underwent resection showed a median survival time of 110.3 months compared with 19 months for the group with unresected but resectable tumors and 10.5 months for the group with unresectable tumors. There was no operative mortality in the group with resected tumors. We conclude that in patients in whom a second primary carcinoma of the lung develops, surgical resection prolongs survival and can be performed with a low operative mortality.     

Hepatic resection in 128 patients: a 24-year experience

The records of 128 patients who underwent hepatic resection at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation between 1960 and 1984 were reviewed. Sixty patients (47%) had major resections and 68 patients (53%) had wedge or segmental resections. One hundred five patients had malignant tumors; 29 were primary liver tumors and 78 were metastatic (61 from a colorectal primary). Twenty-three patients had benign hepatic tumors. The overall operative mortality rate was 7% (7.6% for malignant tumors and 4.3% for benign lesions). Survival rate after resection of a hepatocellular carcinoma (22 patients) at 3, 5, and 10 years was 50%, 33%, and 12%. Survival rate after resection of colorectal metastases at 3, 5, and 10 years was 44%, 28%, and 21%. Overall survival was better for patients who were less than 56 years of age (p = 0.003) and for patients with no tumor at the line of resection (p less than 0.001). In patients with colorectal metastases, survival after wedge or segmental resection was better than after a major anatomic resection (p = 0.004). In these patients, the number or size of the metastases, the time interval between resection of the primary tumor and of the hepatic metastases, and/or the presence of mesenteric lymph node metastases were not significant. Most patients with primary malignant tumors require major hepatic resection. Patients with benign tumors and metastatic colorectal carcinomas require resection only to the extent that the tumor is sufficiently encompassed.     

Endoscopic resection of solid intraventricular brain tumors

OBJECT: Endoscopic removal of intraventricular brain tumors is well established for cystic tumors such as colloid cysts. Aspiration followed by removal or ablation of the membranous wall is possible given the constituent features of these tumors. It is generally expected that endoscopic removal of solid brain tumors from the intraventricular compartment would impose additional technical demands. In this paper, the feasibility and safety of endoscopic removal of solid intraventricular brain tumors is evaluated. METHODS: Eighty-one patients who underwent endoscopic management of an intraventricular brain tumor were identified from a prospective database. Of these patients, seven underwent attempted endoscopic surgical removal of a solid primary brain tumor. Patient selection, surgical technique, procedure-related morbidity, and extent of removal were reviewed. Five patients underwent complete resection of a solid intraventricular brain tumor, a treatment option that was based on intraoperative assessment and confirmed by postoperative imaging. No patient experienced any procedure-related morbidity. Of the individuals in whom a total endoscopic resection was successful, there has been no symptomatic or radiological evidence of recurrence (mean follow up 20 months). Maximum tumor diameter ranged from 0.5 to 1.8 cm for patients who underwent complete resection, whereas maximum tumor diameter measured 2.4 and 2.5 cm in the two patients in whom a subtotal excision was performed. CONCLUSIONS: In select patients, complete endoscopic removal of solid intraventricular brain tumors is possible and safe. Factors that influence the ability of a surgeon to perform a complete endoscopic resection include tumor size, composition, and vascularity. The procedure requires careful patient selection, the use of refined endoscopic instrumentation, and a disciplined surgical technique.     

颈动脉体瘤的外科治疗：附24例报告

目的:总结颈动脉体瘤(CBT)的诊治经验及其手术并发症的防治。方法:回顾性分析1999年1月—2012年9月收治的24例颈动脉体瘤患者共30侧资料。其中双侧肿瘤6例,单侧18例。结果:24例均手术治疗,其中Shamblin I型17侧行单纯瘤体剥除;Shamblin II型7侧行瘤体剥除及颈外动脉切除;6侧Shamblin III型侧行瘤体剥离、颈内动脉部分切除伴颈内动脉重建术。24例患者肿瘤均完整切除,无手术死亡病例,术后出现短暂性脑神经损伤5侧(16.7%),永久性脑神经损伤1例(3.33%)。随访1~15年,未出现延迟性并发症及肿瘤复发。结论:手术是CBT的最有效方式,根据肿瘤大小及与动脉关系决定手术方式,预后良好。