神经内窥镜技术在颅脑手术应用中的优化选择

本文评价神经内窥镜技术在颅脑手术应用中的价值,以及讨论利用神经内窥镜辅助的显微外科技术达到手术治疗最大效果的优化选择,对在神经内窥镜技术优化选择方面的不足、误区及对策进行分析。     

Anatomic study of the anterior skull base via an endoscopic transnasal approach

Objectives

With rapid advances in endoscopic neurosurgery, it has become possible to treat some lesions located in the anterior skull base through a transnasal approach. This anatomic study was undertaken to describe the area of surgical exposure of the anterior skull base afforded by transnasal approaches with an endoscope, as well as to provide references for clinical practice.

Methods

Thirty bony skull base specimens (all Chinese) were used, and 10 injected adult cadaver heads (all Chinese) were dissected for a simulated endoscopic transnasal approach to the anterior skull base. The distance between the bilateral optic canals was measured in skull base specimens and the distance between the columella and anterior ethmoid artery or posterior ethmoid artery was measured on both sides in adult cadaver heads.

Results

The optic canals were 15.13 ± 1.69 mm apart. The distance between the columella and posterior ethmoid artery was 71.01 ± 3.99 mm on the left side and 72.27 ± 3.97 mm on the right side. The distance between the columella and anterior ethmoid artery was 64.811 ± 3.74 mm on the left side and 64.18 ± 3.74 mm on the right side. The endoscopic transnasal approach to the anterior skull base exposed the optic protuberance, sellar floor, crista galli, anterior ethmoid artery, and posterior ethmoid artery. In addition, bilateral olfactory bulbs, olfactory tracts, and optic nerves beneath the dura mater were also revealed.

Conclusions

The anatomic data as well as established anatomic landmarks associated with endoscopic surgery would benefit clinical practice.     

The impact of neuroendoscopy in the emergency setting--a retrospective study of imaging, intraoperative findings, and surgical outcome in 55 patients

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether neuroendoscopy is an improved and effective diagnostic as well as therapeutic tool in the emergency setting compared with neuroimaging studies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-two preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) scans from 55 adult patients admitted in the emergency ward were compared with equal number of neuroendoscopy observations by independent observers, who included cases of raised intracranial pressure related to hydrocephalus, shunt dysfunction, intracranial cysts, brain tumours, subdural effusions, etc. RESULTS: According to the results obtained, three groups were formed. Postoperative findings matched CT/MR images in 38.7% of all the procedures (Group 1). In 25.8%, neuroimages were different from endoscopy findings, nevertheless the differences did not justify any modification in the original surgical approach (Group 2). Finally, differences between endoscopical and preoperative studies in 34.48% of the procedures did justify modifications in the surgical plan (Group 3). Extensive fibrosis within the ventricular system associated with poor anatomic landmark visibility was found to be the main cause of surgical modification in the majority of these cases. CONCLUSIONS: Usefulness of neuroendoscopy to increase the accuracy of intraoperative diagnosis, and therefore modify the surgical procedure in an emergency setting, is stressed.     

Hydrocephalus due to non tumoral stenosis of foramens of Monro: report of four cases

Non tumoral stenosis of the foramen of Monro is rare; pathogenic mechanisms remain a subject of debate. The narrowing can be unilateral causing monoventicular hydrocephalus, and exceptionally bilateral causing biventricular hydrocephalus. We present two cases of monoventricular hydrocephalus and two other cases of biventricular hydrocephalus. Clinically, all patients had the same signs as in common hydrocephalus. The CT scan and mainly the MRI allowed us to confirm the diagnosis and to avoid tumor obstruction of the foramen of Monro. With neuroendoscopy we were able to describe the foramen of Monro and perform a fenestration of the septum pellucidum. The prognosis is usually good.     

The neurosurgical and acute care management of tuberculous meningitis: evidence and current practice

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most lethal form of tuberculosis; mortality is high and survivors are often left neurologically disabled. Several factors contribute to this poor outcome, including cerebrovascular involvement with ensuing brain ischemia, hydrocephalus and raised intracranial pressure, direct parenchymal injury, hyponatremia, and seizures. However, there is little standardisation of management with respect to these aspects of care across different centers, largely because the evidence base for much of the supportive treatment of patients with TBM is poor, leading to substantial differences in management protocols. This review emphasizes some of the uncertainties and controversies pertinent to the surgical treatment of hydrocephalus in TBM and the medical supportive management of the patient during the acute phase of the illness, with the aims of raising awareness and stimulating debate. The focus is on the management of hyponatremia, cerebral hemodynamics and intracranial pressure, medical and surgical treatment for hydrocephalus, and the intensive care management of patients in the acute severe stage of the illness. Very little data are available to address these issues with good evidence and so institutional preferences are common; this is perhaps most notable for the management of hydrocephalus, and so in this the review highlights our personal practice. The brain needs protection while the source of the illness is addressed. Without attention to these aspects of management there will always be a limit to the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy in TBM, so there is a strong imperative for the controversies to be resolved and the limitations of our current care to be addressed. Existing protocols should be rigorously examined and novel strategies to protect the brain should be explored. To this end, a prospective, multi-disciplinary and multi-centered approach may yield answers to the questions raised in this review.     

Inflation-deflation method for endoscopic evacuation of intracerebral haematoma

Summary   Background. Endoscopic evacuation of intracerebral haematoma (ICH) has the advantage of being less invasive than craniotomy, but limited visualisation and difficulties in haemostasis are still a concern. The collapse of the haematoma cavity limits the visualisation of the surgical field. Inflation of the haematoma cavity with saline irrigation improves visualisation and facilitates accurate intra-operative orientation. Method. A unique technique, the cavity inflation–deflation method can help in exploring the residual haematoma and accessing the bleeding points. We also developed a combined irrigation-coagulation suction tube that concentrates the capabilities of suction, irrigation and monopolar coagulation. Findings. The use of this multifunctional dedicated instrument and its application in the cavity inflation–deflation method allows for easy identification of residual haematoma and bleeding vessels. Secure haemostasis can also be accomplished under clear visualisation. No surgical complications and rebleeding occurred in any patient following the procedure. Our results show that the median haematoma evacuation rate was 99% and the surgical outcome was satisfactory. Conclusions. The inflation–deflation method using a combined irrigation-coagulation suction tube can facilitate optimal evacuation of ICH with secure haemostasis. Although further accumulation of patients and careful analyses are needed to be known whether this procedure improves the clinical outcomes in the patients, the preliminary results of its application have been promising. Correspondence: Toru Nagasaka, Department of Neurosurgery, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital, 3-35 Michishita-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 453-8511, Japan.     

神经内镜在面神经显微血管减压术中的应用

目的 探讨单纯神经内镜显微血管减压术的可行性和技术要点.方法 回顾性分析我科2008年12月至2010年12月收治的50例面肌痉挛患者,其中45例采取单纯内镜手术,5例采用内镜辅助显微手术.结果 随访期间内镜49例临床症状完全缓解,1例减轻,无小脑梗死及水肿病例,无颅内感染及出血等严重并发症.内镜手术有2例止血困难而在显微镜下完成止血过程.结论 神经内镜可以抵近观察,能够避免责任血管的遗漏,疗效确切.还具有对小脑牵拉小、术后并发症少的优点.单纯神经内镜手术能够完成显微血管减压术,该技术经过专业培训能够熟练掌握,值得临床推广.     

脑出血三维重建工作站辅助高血压脑出血内镜手术治疗

目的 探索高血压脑出血简单、快捷、精确可靠、价廉的手术定位方法及高效、快速、止血可靠、手术失血少的内镜手术方法.方法 通过脑出血三维重建工作站(神经外科影像与手术工作平台系统),采用内镜对26例高血压脑出血患者术前行三维重建,通过该三维重建图像来设计内镜手术入路.脑出血三维重建工作站辅助定位与设计手术入路完成后,完全采用内镜清除深部脑内血肿,观察、分析手术疗效.结果 脑出血三维重建工作站可以直观显示脑内血肿与各解剖结构、体表标志的三维空间量化关系,迅速辅助定位并设计最佳个体化内镜手术入路.脑出血患者通过内镜手术平均手术时间仅(1.6±0.5)h、手术失血量仅30～40 ml.本组26例患者中,脑内血肿全部清除(98％以上清除)5例、次全清除(90％以上)13例、大部清除(70％以上)8例.本组25例术后随访满3个月患者中(1例患者出院后失访),恢复良好6例(24％),轻度残疾10例(40％),重度残疾5例(20％),植物状态3例(12％),死亡1例(家属放弃治疗后院内死亡)(4％).结论 脑出血三维重建工作站可以三维重建直观显示患者脑内血肿与各解剖结构与体表标志的三维空间量化关系,是一种简单、快捷、直观、精确可靠的神经内镜脑出血手术定位与入路设计方法.     

Clinical and Neuroimaging Outcomes of Surgically Treated Intracranial Cysts in 110 Children

Objective

The indications and optimal surgical treatments for intracranial cysts are controversial. In the present study, we describe long-term clinical and neuroimaging results of surgically treated intracranial cysts in children. The goal of this study is to contribute to the discussion of the debate.

Methods

This study included 110 pediatric patients that underwent surgeries to treat intracranial cysts. Endoscopic cyst fenestrations were performed in 71 cases, while craniotomies and cyst excisions (with or without fenestrations) were performed in 30 patients. Cystoperitoneal shunts were necessary for nine patients. Long-term results were retrospectively assessed with medical and neuroimaging records.

Results

Clinical and radiological improvement was reported in 87.3% and 92.8% of cases, respectively, after endoscopic neurosurgery, and in 93.3% and 100% using open microsurgery whereas 88.9% and 85.7% after shunt operation. There were no statistical differences in clinical outcomes (p=0.710) or volume reductions (p=0.177) among the different surgeries. There were no mortalities or permanent morbidities, but complications such as shunt malfunctions, infections, and subdural hematomas were observed in 56% of the patients that had shunt operations. A total of 13 patients (11.8%) underwent additional surgeries due to recurrences or treatment failures. The type of surgery performed did not influence the recurrence rate (p=0.662) or the failure rate (p=0.247).

Conclusion

Endoscopic neurosurgeries are less invasive than microsurgeries and are at least as effective as open surgeries. Thus, given the advantages and complications of these surgical techniques, we suggest that endoscopic fenestration should be the first treatment attempted in children with intracranial cysts.     

Application of endoscopy to the surgical management of craniopharyngiomas

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a minimally invasive/endoscopic approach to craniopharyngiomas (CPGs) given that the surgical aim was a complete excision of the tumor as a single stage procedure. The endoscope can be used with both a subfrontal and a transsphenoidal approach.Methods This study is a retrospective review of 36 operative patients who were seen by one surgeon. All patients had attempted complete excision.Results Patients were divided into three groups according to their preoperative status. Those in group 1 had no previous treatment and fared well, although all developed postoperative diabetes insipidus. Those in group 2 had previous surgery only and also did well with repeat surgery. Those in group 3 had been treated previously with surgery and radiotherapy and, apart from a single exception, did poorly.Conclusion The endoscopic, minimally invasive approach is versatile and effective in the surgical management of both first-time and repeat cases of CPG. It offers superior visualization of surrounding neurovascular structures and allows a more complete resection of tumor. It can be used for a cranial or a nasal approach to these tumors. Sadly, it failed to prevent postoperative endocrinopathy.