OBJECTIVETo investigate the techniques and effect of extradural approach for the resection of trigeminal schwannomas involving the cavernous sinus.

METHODSTwenty-three patients (range 26-63 years, mean age 46.2 years) with trigeminal schwannomas involving the cavernous sinus treated by middle fossa extradural approach were retrospectively analyzed. Frontotemporal orbitozygomatic extradural approach was performed in 2 patients. Frontotemporal zygomatic extradural approach was carried out in 21 patients. The first follow-up visit was on the 3rd month after surgery, and if residual was observed on enhanced MRI, then the patient was followed up every 6 months; otherwise, the patient was followed up every 8-12 months.

RESULTSThe length of hospital stay after surgery was 7-13 days (mean 8.5 days). Two tumors originated from the ophthalmic branch, 2 from the maxillary branch, 5 from the mandibular branch and 14 from the gasserian ganglion. Total resection was achieved in 21 of the 23 patients (91.3%) and subtotal resection in the other 2 patients. All the patients were followed up from 3 months to 4 years. Median follow-up time was 19 months. The most common symptom was facial hypoesthesia, occurring in 18 patients. This symptom improved in 10 patients and worsened in 8 patients after surgery. New postoperative facial hypoesthesia was observed in 2 patients. Facial pain was observed in 3 patients and subsided after surgery. Two patients had loss of hearing, this symptom improved in 1 patient and worsened in 1 patient after surgery. Diplopia was observed in 6 patients. In 1 of these 6 patients, diplopia resulted from palsy of the oculomotor nerve. In the other 5 patients, diplopia resulted from palsy of the abducens nerve. This symptom improved postoperatively in all these 6 patients. New postoperative atrophy of the temporalis muscle was observed in 3 patients. There was no operation-related mortality. Tumor recurrence was only found in 1 patient after 24 months and was treated by Gamma knife.

CONCLUSIONSThe middle fossa extradural approach may be an ideal option for the resection of trigeminal schwannomas involving the cavernous sinus. This approach produces no further impairment, less complication, and is less likely to injured the trigeminal nerve, abducens nerve, trochlear nerve and internal carotid artery.

Adult ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma ; surgery ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Trigeminal Nerve Diseases ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the techniques and effect of surgical resection of large intra- and extra-ventricular craniopharyngiomas via anterior interhemispheric trans-lamina terminalis approach.

METHODSFifty-two patients who were surgically treated for large intra- and extra-ventricular craniopharyngiomas were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent surgery via anterior interhemispheric trans-lamina terminalis approach. Of the 52 patients, 28 were male and 24 were female, with age ranging from 3 to 67 years (mean age 33.5 years). The maximum tumor diameter varied from 4.0 to 7.8 cm, with mean diameter of 5.1 cm. Contrast-enhanced MRI was underwent to determine the extent of tumor resection on the 1 to 3 months after surgery.

RESULTSTotal removal of the lesion was achieved in 47 cases (90.4%), 5 patients underwent subtotal resection (9.6%). Division of the anterior communicating artery was performed in 6 patients with no early or late complications related to division of the artery. Visual acuity was preserved or improved in 44 patients (84.6%). Preservation of the pituitary stalk were achieved in 33 patients (63.5%). No surgery-related deaths occurred. The postsurgical follow-up period varied from 3 months to 68 months (mean 25.4 months). Twenty-three cases had endocrinological deficit and received some form of hormonal replacement after surgery. Permanent diabetes insipidus occurred in 18 cases. Three patients died and 6 patients suffered recurrence during the followed-up period.

CONCLUSIONSThe anterior interhemispheric approach, with opening of the lamina terminalis, is a valid choice for large intra- and extra-ventricular craniopharyngiomas. These tumors can be removed without significant sequelae related to the surgical approach because optic nerves, optic chiasm, internal carotid artery, hypothalamic structures and pituitary stalk can be seen and effectively protected.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Craniopharyngioma ; surgery ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; methods ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies