Combined petrosal approach to petroclival meningiomas

OBJECTIVE: To study the use and advantages of combining the posterior petrosal approach with the anterior petrosal approach to petroclival meningiomas. METHODS: Seven cases of petroclival meningiomas operated on via the combined petrosal approach were retrospectively analyzed. The basis on which this approach was selected was assessed, as were its benefits and risks. RESULTS: Gross total resection was achieved in five of the seven patients. No mortality or decrease in Karnofsky performance score was observed at the time of the last follow-up examination. Six of the seven patients had serviceable hearing before the operation. Only one patient lost hearing after the operation, and this hearing loss occurred in only one ear. Before the operation, six patients were House-Brackmann facial nerve function Grade I, and one patient was Grade II to III. At the last follow-up examination, facial nerve function was Grade I in five patients, Grade II in one patient, and Grade V in one patient. Tumors in all patients involved the cavernous sinus, Meckel's cave, petroclival junction, and middle clivus. All patients possessed a large posterior fossa component of tumor measuring an average of 3.6 x 3.5 x 4.2 cm. In four patients, the tumor was attached for the entire width of the clivus to the contralateral petroclival junction. Four patients displayed central brainstem compression. Four patients displayed bony changes at the petrous apex. All patients displayed total or partial encasement of the vertebrobasilar artery and its major branches. CONCLUSION: The combined petrosal approach should be considered for patients who have a large petroclival meningioma and serviceable hearing. This approach enhances petroclival exposure and the degree of tumor resection, especially in the area of the petroclival junction, middle clivus, apical petrous bone, posterior cavernous sinus, and Meckel's cave. The combined petrosal approach also allows better visualization of the contralateral side and the ventral brainstem, which facilitates safe dissection of the tumor from the brainstem, the basilar artery, and the perforators. If a patient has an early draining bridging vein to the tentorial sinus (before it reaches the transverse-sigmoid junction) or a prominent sigmoid sinus and jugular bulb, the combined petrosal approach provides significant working space.     

Quantitative analysis of the working area and angle of attack for the retrosigmoid, combined petrosal, and transcochlear approaches to the petroclival region

OBJECT: The authors quantitatively assessed the working areas and angles of attack associated with retrosigmoid (RS), combined petrosal (CP), and transcochlear (TC) craniotomies. METHODS: Four silicone-injected cadaveric heads were bilaterally dissected using three approaches progressing from the least to the most extensive. Working areas were determined using the Optotrak 3020 system on the upper and middle thirds of the petroclivus and brainstem. Angles of attack were studied using the Elekta SurgiScope at the Dorello canal and the origin of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA). The TC approach provided significantly greater (p < 0.001) working areas at the petroclivus (755.6 +/- 130.1 mm2) and brainstem (399.3 +/- 68.2 mm2) than the CP (354.1 +/- 60.3 and 289.7 +/- 69.9 mm2) and RS approaches (292.4 +/- 59.9, 177.2 +/- 54.2 mm2, respectively). The brainstem working area associated with the CP approach was significantly larger (p < 0.001) than that associated with the RS route. There was no difference in the petroclival working area comparing the CP and RS approaches (p = 0.149). The horizontal and vertical angles of attack achieved using the TC approach were wider than those of the CP and RS at the Dorello canal and the origin of the AICA (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The CP approach offers a more extensive working area than the RS for lesions involving the anterolateral surface of the brainstem, but not for petroclival lesions. The TC approach provides the widest corridor, improving the working area and angle of attack to both areas, but hearing must be sacrificed and the facial nerve is at risk.     

幕上下联合锁孔入路显露岩斜区的显微解剖

目的 研究颞下和枕下乙状窦后锁孔入路对岩斜区显露的互补性.方法 尸头上模拟该锁孔入路,颞部骨窗以颧弓根部为中心前后各1.5 cm,高2.5 cm,枕下乙状窦后骨窗直径3 cm,观察显露范围并用导航标记.用带有造影剂的明胶海绵标记适于操作的有效空间,再行CT扫描和三维重建.结果 颞下入路从前外侧到达岩斜区,对颅中窝、鞍旁、幕上桥前池、脚间池下部、环池前部显露佳,切开小脑幕后环池和桥前池下部视野得到扩展,桥小脑角池方向被岩尖遮挡,是显露的死角.枕下乙状窦后入路从后外侧到达岩斜区,对同侧桥小脑角、桥前池、环池后部显露佳,但Meckel's囊开口至海绵窦后部被内听道上结节遮挡,范围小于1 cm3.结论 颞下和枕下锁孔入路的显露空间和角度有互补性,联合运用有利于切除同时累及幕上下,侵犯上斜坡和中下斜坡的岩斜脑膜瘤,尽管对海绵窦后部显露不佳,但范围小,处于放射外科的有效治疗范围之内,达到微创疗效.     

Partial labyrinthectomy petrous apicectomy approach to the petroclival region: an anatomic and technical study

OBJECTIVE: The petroclival region generally is thought to be an inaccessible area in the intracranial compartment. A number of ways of reaching this area during surgery have been described, including the presigmoid petrosal approach. The partial labyrinthectomy petrous apicectomy approach is a relatively new approach to this region and is a variant of the presigmoid petrosal approach. This study aims to demonstrate the technique and the microsurgical anatomy of the partial labyrinthectomy petrous apicectomy approach and to provide a quantitative study of its exposure to compare it with other common approaches to this region, particularly the presigmoid petrosal approach. METHODS: Bilateral stepwise dissections were performed on 15 formalin-fixed and dye-injected cadaveric heads (30 sides) under x3 to x40 magnification. A temporal craniotomy was performed after a complete mastoidectomy. A partial labyrinthectomy and petrous apicectomy were performed next. The amount of dura exposed was measured before and after the partial labyrinthectomy and the petrous apicectomy. By measuring the angles of exposure, the approach was examined to analyze how much increased access was gained. RESULTS: This approach provided wide exposure to the petroclival region, the cerebellopontine angle, Meckel's cave, the cavernous sinus, and the prepontine region. On average, there was an increase of 10.8 mm in horizontal exposure as compared with the retrolabyrinthine approach. The average angle of vision achieved with the clival pit as the target was 58.9 degrees. In most of the specimens, an area from the IIIrd to the IXth cranial nerves was easily visible without any significant brain retraction. A high jugular bulb did not reduce the exposure. CONCLUSION: The partial labyrinthectomy petrous apicectomy approach converts two narrow tunnels into a wide corridor. It increases the angle of exposure markedly, providing easy and excellent exposure of the otherwise difficult-to-access petroclival region, and it may also preserve hearing.     

Transcrusal approach to the petroclival region with hearing preservation. Technical note and illustrative cases

As a term, the "petrosal approach" to the petroclival region has a variety of meanings. The authors define a common nomenclature based on historical contributions and add new terminology to describe a technique of hearing preservation that allows for greater exposure of the petroclival region. The degree of temporal bone dissection defines five stages of operation. The authors used the second or "transcrusal" stage, in which the posterior and superior semicircular canals are sacrificed while preserving hearing, in six consecutive cases. Use of a common terminology ensures better understanding among surgeons. In the authors' hands, hearing has been successfully preserved in six patients after partial labyrinthectomy.     

岩斜区肿瘤手术入路选择的探讨

目的 探讨岩斜区肿瘤的手术入路选择。对53例岩斜区肿瘤患者的手术治疗进行分析。方法患者采用颞底经天幕入路11例,枕下乙状窦后入路12例;（颧弓或眶颧）翼点入路12例;乙状窦前入路2例;颞底、乙状窦后幕上下联合入路7例;颞下前岩骨硬膜外入路7例;扩大的前颅底硬膜外入路2例。结果32例（61％）患者肿瘤全切除,9例（17％）次全切除,12例（22％）大部切除。术后新发生颅神经功能障碍16例（30％）,死亡2例（4％）。结论枕下乙状窦后入路、颞底经天幕入路等岩斜区手术入路均可以在熟练的显微操作技术及神经导航、神经内镜下进行。主体生长于硬膜外的岩斜肿瘤适合于采用硬膜外入路手术切除。幕上下联合入路对巨大岩斜区肿瘤是理想的手术入路。     

Presigmoid sinus approach to petroclival meningiomas

Between August 1987 and May 1989 five patients with petroclival meningiomas were operated on at the Neurosurgical Clinic of the Krankenhaus Nordstadt. Hannover, Germany, using an original combined supra- and infratentorial presigmoid sinus approach. There were two men and three women, ranging in age from 34 to 61 years (mean, 48 years; median, 46 years). Follow-up ranged between 1 and 22 months. There was no death. Postoperatively, two patients had no useful hearing, one had a permanent facial palsy (the facial nerve had to be sacrificed intraoperatively due to its involvement with tumor), one had a permanent abducens palsy (the VI nerve was involved with tumor and had to be cut). Temporary lower (IX to XII) cranial nerve palsy was observed in all the patients; temporary VI, in two patients; temporary VII, in two patients, temporary hemiparesis, in one patient, temporary gait ataxia, in three patients; and persistent gait ataxia, in one patient. All patients had total tumor removal as assessed at surgery and with postoperative enhanced computed tomography. Four patients were independent and able to carry on normal activity, and one patient was independent at home but not outside due to severe ataxia 4 months after the operation. The presigmoid sinus avenue to the petroclival region shortens the distance to the clivus, permits a multiangled exposure of this difficult surgical area, minimizes the amount of temporal lobe retraction, preserves the integrity of the transverse sinus, and allows for better preservation of the neurovascular structures. These factors translate into a high percentage of total tumor removal and a low incidence of permanent morbidity.     

Small petrosal approach to the middle portion of the mediobasal temporal region: technical case report

BACKGROUND: The mediobasal temporal region has been divided into three portions: anterior, middle, and posterior. Surgical access, especially to the middle portion, presents a formidable challenge to neurosurgeons, and much controversy still exists regarding the selection of the surgical approach to this region. CASE REPORT: We used the small petrosal approach to the middle portion of the mediobasal temporal region in a patient with intractable seizures caused by a cavernous angioma in this region. Using this approach, we selectively removed the lesion without postoperative deficits. CONCLUSIONS:The small petrosal approach was found to be useful and safe as an alternative technique for selective removal of the lesion in the middle portion of the mediobasal temporal region.     

The pretemporal approach to the interpeduncular and petroclival regions

Summary A pretemporal approach to the interpeduncular and petroclival regions is described.Through a frontotemporal craniotomy based very low in the middle fossa the temporal lobe is completely exposed. The Sylvian, carotid, chiasmatic, and lamina terminalis cisterns are widely opened. The arachnoid fibers between the uncus and the frontal lobe, as well as those binding the temporal lobe to the tentorial edge and to the oculomotor nerve are also separated. The bridging veins from the temporal pole to the spheno-parietal sinus are usually coagulated and sacrificed allowing for posterior displacement of the temporal lobe.The approach combines the advantages of both the classical pterional and subtemporal approaches providing unhindered exposure of the anterior portion of the tentorial incisura in dealing with vascular and tumoural lesions arising at the sellar, parasellar, and interpeduncular regions, and at the superior aspect of the petroclival region.     

Opening cranial cisterns by the anterior subtemporal keyhole approach to the superior petroclival region: anatomical study and comparative analysis

Background

Without drilling the bony structures, simple incision of the tentorium dorsal to the porus of trochlear nerve by the anterior subtemporal keyhole approach provides narrow exposure in the superior petroclival region. This study was designed to measure and compare the areas of exposure, linear distances, and angles of approach in the superior petroclival region before and after opening cranial cisterns.

Methods

The study was carried out on 20 sides of cadaver heads. With the use of a navigation system, the area of exposure in the dorsum sella and clivus, the ventrolateral area of exposure in brainstem around the BA, the linear exposure of the posterior petroclinoid fold and BA trunk, and the angles of approach to BA tip were evaluated. The length of oculomotor cistern and trochlear cistern, the distance of oculomotor porus between trochlear porus, the linear exposure of the trigeminal nerve, and the angle to the most inferior medial point in clivus were also measured.

Results

The area of exposure in the dorsum sella and clivus (157.6 ± 27.2mm²), the ventrolateral area of exposure in brainstem around BA (249.5 ± 29.7mm²), the linear exposure of the posterior petroclinoid fold (11.5 ± 0.6 mm) and BA trunk (10.3 ± 2.0 mm), and the angle of approach in the vertical axis to the BA tip (13.7° ± 1.7°) were significantly greater after opening cisterns. The angles of approach in the horizontal axis to the BA tip (24.5° ± 1.1° vs 24.7° ± 0.8°) were not statistically different. The length of oculomotor cistern and trochlear cistern, the distance of oculomotor porus and trochlear porus, the linear exposure of the trigeminal nerve, and the angle of approach to the most inferior medial point in clivus were 6.7 ± 1.3 mm, 10.7 ± 2.4 mm, 9.6 ± 2.3 mm, 15.8 ± 1.4 mm, and 13.0° ± 1.5°, respectively.

Conclusion

The areas of exposure, linear distances, and the angles of approach in the superior petroclival region can be increased after opening cranial cisterns by the anterior subtemporal keyhole approach.     

岩斜区良性肿瘤手术治疗策略分析

目的 探讨岩斜区良性肿瘤的手术策略.方法 对2002年1月至2009年2月的55例岩斜区良性肿瘤(脑膜瘤和三叉神经鞘瘤)患者的手术资料进行回顾性分析.依据不同手术策略将患者分为3组:全切除组、次全切除组及部分切除组,后两组患者又统一为非全切除组,术后行放疗控制复发或进展.对3组患者术后神经障碍发生率和生存质量状况进行统计分析.结果 55例患者中全切除21例,次全切除22例,部分切除12例.术后两周内全切除组有12例出现神经功能恶化,非全切除组有10例,其余患者稳定或好转.全切除组和非全切除组比较差异有统计学意义(x2=4.16,P＜0.05).术后1年内全切除组KPS≥80分12例,非全切除组为29例.全切除组和非全切除组比较差异有统计学意义(x2=5.42,P＜0.05).术后平均随访3年,全切除组无复发,非全切除组放疗后共计5例复发或进展.结论 岩斜区肿瘤追求全切除存在术后神经功能恶化和生存质量下降的风险,不追求全切除结合术后放疗可以达到较好的治疗效果.     

Postauricular, transpetrous, presigmoid approach for extensive skull base tumors in the petroclival region: the successes and the travails

Purpose  

Postauricular, transpetrous, presigmoid approach combines a supra/infratentorial exposure with partial petrosectomy to access third to the twelfth cranial nerves and extraaxial lesions situated anterolateral to brainstem. It provides a shorter working distance to large petrosal, petroclival, cerebellopontine, and cerebellomedullary cisternal lesions and their extensions to the subtemporal–infratemporal areas. This study reviews the surgical technique, corridors of extension, and complications encountered utilizing this approach for excising extensive lesions in these locations.     

Tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula obliterated using the petrosal approach

BACKGROUND: Tentorial dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are uncommon lesions usually treated surgically using a subtemporal exposure with division of the tentorium. This exposure requires significant retraction of the temporal lobe and has the possibility of significant arterialized venous bleeding if a draining vein is accidentally cut during division of the tentorium. Skull base surgical techniques may provide alternate approaches for the surgical treatment of tentorial dural AVFs. METHODS: A tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula supplied by the tentorial artery and drained by the petrosal vein was exposed and obliterated using the petrosal (subtemporal-presigmoid) approach. RESULTS: The petrosal approach allowed the exposure and division of the superior petrosal sinus and tentorium with direct visualization of the supratentorial and the infratentorial compartments, avoiding accidental damage to the draining veins. The dural fistula was easily obliterated after its venous drainage was interrupted and the tentorial artery occluded. CONCLUSIONS: Tentorial dural AVFs can be safely treated with interruption of the venous drainage. The exposure can be enhanced with a petrosal approach, decreasing the possibility of uncontrolled bleeding during the procedure.     

幕上下经岩骨乙状窦前入路切除巨大岩斜部肿瘤

目的 探讨幕上下经岩骨乙状窦前入路切除岩斜部肿瘤手术的技巧及并发症。方法 取颞枕游离骨瓣,分别于迷路前后将乳突及岩骨根部大部切除,但保留骨性半规管、耳蜗及鼓室的完整性;结扎并切断岩上窦,自乙状窦前方抵达岩斜部。结果 ４１例肿瘤包括脑膜瘤２０例,表皮样囊肿２０例,神经鞘瘤１例。手术全切肿瘤３４例,近全切除６例,大部切除１例。术后一过性失语１０例,脑水肿６例。脑干梗塞２例,第Ⅲ、Ⅵ、Ⅶ及后组颅神经损伤     

经岩骨乙状窦前入路显微外科治疗岩斜区肿瘤

目的 探讨岩斜区肿瘤经岩骨乙状窦前入路显微外科治疗的临床疗效。方法 回顾性研究经显微手术治疗的23例岩斜区肿瘤，对肿瘤病理类型、临床和影像学特征、手术入路、手术切除技巧及术后常见并发症的处理进行系统分析。结果 在手术显微镜下肿瘤全切除16例，近全切除4例，大部分切除3例，无手术死亡。结论 经岩骨乙状窦前入路可全切除岩斜区肿瘤。该手术入路对颞叶和小脑牵拉轻，可为岩斜区肿瘤手术切除提供良好的暴露。