Objective:To evaluate the classification of petroclival meningiomas(PCM), proposed selection of microsurgical approach and therapeutic outcomes.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 179 cases of PCM from Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between January 2011 and November 2020. There were 28 males and 151 females with an age of(49.9±10.2) years(range: 22 to 75 years) and the tumor size of(44.8±10.3)mm(range: 15 to 80 mm). The mean duration of symptom ( M( Q R)) was 18.0(40.6)months(range:1 week to 320 months) and the mean preoperative Karnofsky performance scale(KPS) was 78.6±13.3(range: 40 to 100). The PCM were classified into 5 types according to the difference in the origin of dural attachment, involvement of adjacent structures and growth patterns through preoperative MRI. The surgical approaches were selected based on the proposed classification, and the clinical characteristics, surgical record, and follow-up data of each type were reviewed. Results:The PCM were divided into clivus type(CV, 4 cases), petroclival type(PC, 60 cases), petroclivosphenoidal type(PC-S, 62 cases), sphenopetroclival type with 2 subtypes(S-PC, 50 cases) and central skull base type(CSB, 3 cases). All of 176 cases were obtained microsurgical treatment except CSB type. The gross total resection reached in 124 cases(70.5%) with 112 cases of retrosigmoid approach(RSA), 27 cases of subtemporal transtentorial transpetrosal approach, 13 cases of pretemporal trancavernous anterior transpetrosal approach(PTCA), 12 cases of extended pterional transtentorial approach(EPTA) and presigmoid combined supra-infratentorial approach, respectively. The RSA could be adopted in both of CV type and PC type and most of PC-S type(71.0%). S-PC subtype Ⅰ and subtype Ⅱ were mainly underwent EPTA(40.8%) and PTCA(52.2%), respectively. Seventy-two cases(40.9%) gained new neurological dysfunctions mainly with the cranial nerve paralysis. The postoperative morbidity and complications were recovered or improved with conservative and positive symptomatic and supportive treatment. There was no intraoperative and postoperative death case. One hundred and sixty four cases(93.2%) of operative patients were followed with the duration of 24(48)months(range:3 to 108 months). Tumor recurrence and progress were identified in 14 cases(10.4%) and 14 cases(28.6%), respectively. Compared with postoperative neurological status, 89 patients(54.3%) had improved and 38 patients(23.2%) were still suffering various degrees of neurological dysfunctions during the follow-up. The recent KPS was 84.2±11.4(range: 50 to 100) without statistical difference from preoperative KPS ( t=-1.356, P=0.125). As for each type, there were statistically significant differences in brain stem edema (χ 2=3.482, P=0.038), gross total resection (χ 2=9.127, P=0.001), surgical duration( F=8.954, P=0.013), postoperative length of stay( F=3.652, P=0.025), postoperative complications (χ 2=1.550, P=0.024), postoperative KPS( F=2.856, P=0.042) and tumor recurrence/progress (χ 2=4.824, P=0.013). Conclusion:The precise and comprehensive classification of PCM and specific individual treatment strategy are benefit to evaluate the diverse clinical prognosis, choose optimal surgical approaches, elevate gross total resection, diminish neurological dysfunctions and restraint tumor recurrence, so as to improve the quality of life for patients.

Objective:To evaluate the classification of petroclival meningiomas(PCM), proposed selection of microsurgical approach and therapeutic outcomes.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 179 cases of PCM from Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between January 2011 and November 2020. There were 28 males and 151 females with an age of(49.9±10.2) years(range: 22 to 75 years) and the tumor size of(44.8±10.3)mm(range: 15 to 80 mm). The mean duration of symptom ( M( Q R)) was 18.0(40.6)months(range:1 week to 320 months) and the mean preoperative Karnofsky performance scale(KPS) was 78.6±13.3(range: 40 to 100). The PCM were classified into 5 types according to the difference in the origin of dural attachment, involvement of adjacent structures and growth patterns through preoperative MRI. The surgical approaches were selected based on the proposed classification, and the clinical characteristics, surgical record, and follow-up data of each type were reviewed. Results:The PCM were divided into clivus type(CV, 4 cases), petroclival type(PC, 60 cases), petroclivosphenoidal type(PC-S, 62 cases), sphenopetroclival type with 2 subtypes(S-PC, 50 cases) and central skull base type(CSB, 3 cases). All of 176 cases were obtained microsurgical treatment except CSB type. The gross total resection reached in 124 cases(70.5%) with 112 cases of retrosigmoid approach(RSA), 27 cases of subtemporal transtentorial transpetrosal approach, 13 cases of pretemporal trancavernous anterior transpetrosal approach(PTCA), 12 cases of extended pterional transtentorial approach(EPTA) and presigmoid combined supra-infratentorial approach, respectively. The RSA could be adopted in both of CV type and PC type and most of PC-S type(71.0%). S-PC subtype Ⅰ and subtype Ⅱ were mainly underwent EPTA(40.8%) and PTCA(52.2%), respectively. Seventy-two cases(40.9%) gained new neurological dysfunctions mainly with the cranial nerve paralysis. The postoperative morbidity and complications were recovered or improved with conservative and positive symptomatic and supportive treatment. There was no intraoperative and postoperative death case. One hundred and sixty four cases(93.2%) of operative patients were followed with the duration of 24(48)months(range:3 to 108 months). Tumor recurrence and progress were identified in 14 cases(10.4%) and 14 cases(28.6%), respectively. Compared with postoperative neurological status, 89 patients(54.3%) had improved and 38 patients(23.2%) were still suffering various degrees of neurological dysfunctions during the follow-up. The recent KPS was 84.2±11.4(range: 50 to 100) without statistical difference from preoperative KPS ( t=-1.356, P=0.125). As for each type, there were statistically significant differences in brain stem edema (χ 2=3.482, P=0.038), gross total resection (χ 2=9.127, P=0.001), surgical duration( F=8.954, P=0.013), postoperative length of stay( F=3.652, P=0.025), postoperative complications (χ 2=1.550, P=0.024), postoperative KPS( F=2.856, P=0.042) and tumor recurrence/progress (χ 2=4.824, P=0.013). Conclusion:The precise and comprehensive classification of PCM and specific individual treatment strategy are benefit to evaluate the diverse clinical prognosis, choose optimal surgical approaches, elevate gross total resection, diminish neurological dysfunctions and restraint tumor recurrence, so as to improve the quality of life for patients.

Objective To investigate the clinical treatment strategy of large and giant pituitary adenomas invading the cavernous sinus.Methods One hundred and nine patients with large and giant pituitary adenomas invading the cavernous sinus,admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to December 2018,were chosen in our study.Four patients with prolactin-type pituitary adenomas received oral treatment with bromocriptine;the remaining 105 patients received surgical treatment,and choices of surgical approach were based on classification of pituitary adenomas.The clinical data and efficacies of these patients accepted different treatment approach were retrospectively analyzed.Results Of the 105 patients with pituitary adenomas,63 (60％) were of type Ⅰ,15 (14.3％) were of type Ⅱ,18 (17.1％)were of type Ⅲ,and 9 (8.6％) were of type Ⅳ.Single extended transsphenoidal approach was used in 75 patients,transcranial approach was used in 26 patients,and combined extended transsphenoidal and transcranial approach was used in 4 patients.Gross total tumor resection was achieved in 86 patients,subtotal resection in 17 patients,and partial resection in two patients.Ten patients had new cranial nerve palsy after surgery,including 7 with oculomotor nerve palsy and three with abductor nerve palsy;two patients with preoperative neurological paralysis were aggravated,and both of them were oculomotor nerves;transient insipidus was noted in 19 patients and electrolyte disorder was noted in 23 patients;no permanent insipidus,cerebrospinal fluid leakage or intracranial infection,and no new or aggravated visual field vision disorder were noted.Conclusion Reasonable clinical treatment strategies and appropriate microsurgical approaches can achieve good therapeutic effect in patients with large and giant pituitary adenomas invading the cavernous sinus.

Objective: To explore the effects of paracondylar-lateral cervical approach for resection of the jugular foramen schwannoma(JFS). Methods: A total of 15 patients with JFS operated via the paracondylar-lateral cervical approach between December 2011 and March 2016 at Department of Neurosurgery in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 8 females, aging from 22 to 77 years with a mean age of (41.9±15.8) years.There were 12 patients who accepted primary surgery, 3 patients who accepted secondary surgery. There were 10 patients with tinnitus or hearing loss, 8 patients with dysphagia, 9 patients with hoarseness, 7 patients with tongue hemiparesis, 8 patients with ataxia, 1 patient with Pyramidal signs, 2 patients with facial hypesthesia or pain, 1 patient with facial paresis. According to Samii JFS grading system, 2 patients were type B, 4 were type C and 9 were type D. All patients were followed-up through outpatient and telephone by MRI in 3, 9, 12 months postoperation. Results: Gross total removal of tumors were achieved in 14 patients and subtotal removal in 1 patient. Two patients had new hoarseness, 2 had new dysphagia and 3 had more serious dysphagia, 1 patient had more serious facial paresis after the operation. There were 2 patients with intracranial infection, 2 with pneumonia, 1 with subcutaneous effusion, 1 with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, 5 with gastric intubation during perioperative period. There were no death, intracranial hematoma and decreased hearing patients. All patients were followed up, the follow-up time were 3 to 33 months with a mean of (26.9±11.2) months. Till to the latest follow up, dysphagia improved in 2 cases, hoarseness and tongue hemiparesis improved in 3 cases, hearing loss and tinnitus improved in 9 cases, balance function improved in 7 cases, facial hypesthesia and pain improved in 2 cases, pyramidal signs disappeared in 1 case, facial nerve function improved to normal in 1 case. There was no recurrence and progressed case. Conclusion Paracondylar-lateral cervical approach is an alternative approach for both intracranial and extracranial JFS.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the indications of the pretemporal transcavernous approach for cavernous sinus tumors resection and design individually tailored surgery according to the extent of tumors and operation requirements.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of clinical data, surgical outcomes and complications in a series of 31 cases with cavernous sinus tumor operated via the individually tailored pretemporal transcavernous approach between May 2012 and September 2015 in Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. There were 13 male and 18 female patients, aging from 17 to 67 years with a mean of (41±14) years. The patients included 18 cases of shwannomas, 4 cases of meningiomas, 3 cases of cavernous hemangiomas, 2 cases of invasive pituitary adenomas, 1 case of chordoma, 1 case of chondroma, 1 case of recurrent teratoma, 1 case of metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The first followed-up visit was on the 3(rd) month after surgery, and if tumor progression or recurrence was observed on MRI, the Gamma knife treatment was recommended, the patient was followed up every 6 months, otherwise the patient was followed up again 6 months later, then, every 12 months.

RESULTSGross total removal of tumors was achieved in 22 cases of 31 patients (71.0%), containing 17 cases of shwannomas, 3 cases of hemangiomas, 1 case of chondroma, 1 case of teratoma; subtotal removal in 6 cases (19.3%), including 3 cases of meningiomas, 1 case of pituitary adenoma, 1 case of chordoma, 1 case of metastatic carcinoma; partial removal in 3 cases (9.7%), comprising 1 case of meningioma, 1 case of recurrent shwannoma, 1 case of recurrent pituitary adenoma. The symptoms of cranial never aggravated in 5 cases, the new postoperative cranial never palsy was observed in 7 cases. There was no surgical mortality, intracranial hematoma, intracranial infection and cerebrospinal fluid leakage cases, ect. Twenty-eight cases were followed up for more than 3 months (3 to 40 months), 1 case of chordoma had tumor progression; the nerve function was restored in 5 cases, among the 12 cases with postoperatively new occurred or deteriorated cranial nerve paralysis.

CONCLUSIONSThe pretemporal transcavernous approach can be used to resect tumors limited in cavernous sinus or tumors simultaneously involving the cavernous sinus and its vicinity areas, it can be individually tailored based on the extent and exposure of the tumor. This approach can improve the surgical results in terms of high tumor resection rate, less complication, is an ideal approach for cavernous sinus tumor resection.

Adenoma ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cavernous Sinus ; pathology ; surgery ; Chordoma ; surgery ; Female ; Hemangioma ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Meningioma ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Radiosurgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

To explore the influence of preventive use of vasopressin tannate on diabetes insipidus and serum sodium at the early postoperation of craniopharyngioma.
 Methods: The data of 83 patients, who underwent unilateral sub-frontal approach resection of craniopharyngioma between 2010 and 2014 by the same senior neurosurgeon, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a vasopressin tannate group (used group) and a control group. The diabetes insipidus and serum sodium changes were compared between the two groups.
 Results: Compared with the control group, the incidence of diabetes insipidus decreased at the early postoperation in the vasopressin tannate group (P<0.05). There was high incidence of diabetes insipidus in patients with pituitary stalk excision and tumor close adhesion to the third ventricle floor at the early postoperation (P<0.05). Under such conditions, the incidence of diabetes insipidus in the vasopressin tannate group was decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05). Postoperative hypernatremia occurred in 37 patients (44.6%), and hyponatremia occurred in 60 patients (72.3%), the average time of the occurrence of hpernatremia and hyponatremia was 1.4 and 3.7 days after surgery. Postoperative high serum sodium and low serum sodium appeared alternately in 19 patients (22.9%). There was significant difference in the serum sodium distribution in the first day after surgery in both groups (P<0.05), and the percent of hpernatremia in the vasopressin tannate group was significantly less than that in the control group (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Preventive use of vasopressin tannate can effectively reduce diabetes insipidus and hypernatremia incidence at the early postoperative stage after microsurgery for craniopharyngioma.
Arginine Vasopressin ; therapeutic use ; Craniopharyngioma ; complications ; surgery ; Diabetes Insipidus ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Hypernatremia ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hyponatremia ; epidemiology ; Incidence ; Male ; Microsurgery ; adverse effects ; Pituitary Gland ; surgery ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND:The adaptive reconstruction of maxil ofacial muscles would happen when functional orthopedic treatment is done to cure micromaxil ary deformity. The myoblast is the main responder in the process of adaptive reconstruction, and cyclic stretch can induce apoptosis of myoblasts. Caspase-9 is an important factor in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of Caspase-9 in different cyclic stretch.
METHODS:Based on myoblasts cultured in vitro-mechanical stimulation model, the rat L6 myoblasts were loaded stretch for 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours through multi-channel cellstress loading system, while the control group received no stretch. The morphological change and growth of myoblasts were observed under inverted phase contrast microscope;the expression of the mRNA and protein of Caspase-9 were detected by RT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under inverted phase contrast microscope, the rat L6 myoblasts at cyclic stretch maintained a good growth state and biological characteristics;there was no celldegeneration;and the loss rate was extremely low, which could demonstrate that myoblast in vitro-mechanical stimulation model was established successful y. The results of RT-PCR and western blot analysis showed that, the expression of Caspase-9 mRNA and Cleaved Caspase-9 protein was significantly increased as the loading time prolonged, and the expression of Procaspase-9 protein was significantly decreased as the time. We can conclude that Caspase-9 is involved in the mechanical signal transduction of cyclic stretch.

OBJECTIVETo identify factors that predictive of quality of life after microsurgical removal of petroclival meningiomas.

METHODSA consecutive series of 71 cases of petroclival meningiomas received microsurgical removal between July 1991 and April 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. Quality of life was measured using Karnofsky performance scale (KPS). Complete pre-operative, post-operative and follow-up data were obtained from all 71 patients including 18 male and 53 female patients with the mean age of (47 ± 11) years (aging from 15 to 68 years). The duration between onset of symptoms and diagnosis ranged from 1 week to 180 months with the mean duration of (32 ± 30) months. And the tumor size was 15-72 mm with the average of (44 ± 11) mm. Main presentations included headache, unsteady gait, hemiparesis, dysphagia, hoarseness, facial numbness or pain, Bell's palsy, hearing impairment etc. The preoperative KPS was 40-100 with the average of 69 ± 11. The retrosigmoid (-transtentorial) approach was performed in most cases (91.5%). Intergroup χ² test and logistic regression analysis were conducted for prognostic factor characterization.

RESULTSThe gross total resection (all were Simpson gradeII) reached in 48 cases (67.6%) and 1 case died postoperatively. The main new neurological dysfunctions were cranial nerve paralysis and hemiplegia with the postoperative KPS of 20-100 with the average of 73 ± 16.Sixty-four cases were followed for 4-132 months with the average of (61 ± 48) months. Seven patients died during follow-up, tumor recurrence and progression were identified in 6 and 8 cases, respectively. The KPS at the last visit ranged from 50 to 100 with the average of 83 ± 13. The extent of tumor resection (OR = 0.280, 95% CI: 0.081-0.967, P = 0.044), preoperative brainstem edema (OR = 0.100, 95% CI: 0.027-0.372, P = 0.001), relationships between tumor and neurovascular structures (OR = 0.288, 95% CI: 0.084-0.985, P = 0.047) and depth of invasion into cavernous sinus (OR = 0.254, 95% CI: 0.061-1.057, P = 0.048) had significant correlations with the prognostic quality of life.

CONCLUSIONSWith regard of the choice of surgical approaches, the extent of tumor resection, the protection of neurovascular structures surrounding the tumor and the management of perioperative period, the therapeutic strategies for each patient should be customized to achieve better prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To improve the surgical outcome of pituitary adenomas by identifying and preserving the pituitary stalk and the gland during surgery. METHODS: From October 2010 to September 2012, the author from the Department of Neurosurgery of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University operated on 51 patients with pituitary adenoma. During the operations, we carefully identified the normal adenohypophysis, pituitary stalk, neurohypophysis and the abnormal tissues either by direct observation or by medical images, aiming to excise the tumor thoroughly, protect the pituitary function and reduce the postoperative complications. RESULTS: Totally 37 patients (72.5%, 37/51) had total resection of the tumor, 12 (23.5%, 12/51) had subtotal tumor resection and the other 2 had major removal. The gland and the pituitary stalk were well identified and reserved. Detection of hormone content proved that the operation had little effect on the free triiodothyronine (FT3) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), while for free tetraiodothyronine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and postoperative followup significant alleviation was found. There was no significant fluctuation for the testosterone in the men preoperatively and postoperatively (all the above results were obtained without hormone replacement therapy). The main postoperative complications were as follows: temporary diabetes insipidus in 5 patients (9.8%, 5/51); electrolyte disorder (the appearance of hyponatremia) in 17 (33.3%, 17/51); and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and postoperative intracranial infection in 1 (2%, 1/51). No one died during the perioperation period. CONCLUSION Microscopic transsphenoidal surgery is effective for pituitary adenomas including tumors violating the cavernous sinus. Accurate identification of the pituitary stalk, the gland and the abnormal tissue during the microscopic transsphenoidal operation plays a critical role in preserving the pituitary function and promoting postoperative rehabilitation.
Adenoma ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; methods ; Pituitary Gland ; surgery ; Pituitary Hormones ; blood ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of combined ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and the potential mechanism. METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomized into a sham operation group, a brain I/R group (model group), a brain I/R plus preconditioning group (preconditioning group), a brain I/R plus postconditioning group (postconditioning group), and a brain I/R plus preconditioning and postconditioning group (combined intervention group). The rat brain I/R injury model was created by suture emboli method. Preconditioning was induced by 3 cycles of 15 s occlusion followed by 30 s recanalization of the middle cerebral artery twice respectively at 24 h and 1 h before model creation, and postconditioning was elicited by 3 cycles of 30 s reperfusion followed by 15 s ischemia before long time reperfusion. The rats were sacrificed at 48 h after the reperfusion. The cerebral infarct volume and oxidative stress parameters as well as p-Akt and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions in the brain tissues were determined. RESULTS: The cerebral infarct volumes showed no significant difference between the preconditioning group and the postconditioning group (P>0.05), but both were smaller than that in the model group and larger than that in the combined intervention group (all P values<0.01). In the model group, the level of oxidative stress was markedly increased (SOD activity increased and MDA level decreased), and both p-Akt and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions in the brain tissues were upregulated compared with those in the sham group (all P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the oxidative stress parameters presented no evident difference in preconditioning group (P>0.05), but p-Akt expression was slightly upregulated and p-ERK1/2 was remarkably down-regulated (P<0.05 and P<0.01) In the postconditioning group, the level of oxidative stress was significantly decreased, and p-Akt expression was dramatically increased with a mild down-regulation of p-ERK1/2 expression (P<0.01 and P<0.05). In the combined intervention group, the oxidative stress decrease the p-Akt expression rise and p-ERK1/2 expression inhibition were significantly greater than those in either the preconditioning group or the postconditioning group (all P values<0.01). CONCLUSION Combined treatment of preconditioning and postconditioning exerts stronger protective effect against cerebral I/R injury than either preconditioning or postconditioning alone. The mechanism is possibly due to the different but complementary protection of preconditioning and postconditioning against I/R injury.
Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; pathology ; Cerebrum ; pathology ; Down-Regulation ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; therapy ; Up-Regulation