• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• 제41권
• /
• pp.3.1-3.9
• /
• 2019

Background: The infratemporal fossa (ITF) is an anatomical lateral skull base space composed by the zygoma, temporal, and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone. Due to its difficult approach, surgical intervention at the ITF has remained a heavy burden to surgeons. The aim of this article is to review basic skull base approaches and ITF structures and to avoid severe complications based on the accurate surgical knowledge. Methods: A search of the recent literature using MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, and other online tools was executed using the following keyword combinations: infratemporal fossa, subtemporal fossa, transzygomatic approach, orbitozygomatic approach, transmaxillary approach, facial translocation approach, midface degloving, zygomatico-transmandibular approach, and lateral skull base. Aside from our Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) trial, there have been very few randomized controlled trials. The search data for this review are summarized based on the authors' diverse clinical experiences. Results: We divided our results based on representative skull base approaches and the anatomy of the ITF. Basic approaches to the ITF include endoscopic endonasal, transzygomatic, orbitozygomatic, zygomatico-transmandibular, transmaxillary, facial translocation, and the midfacial degloving approach. The borders and inner structures of the ITF (with basic lateral skull base dissection schemes) are summarized, and the modified zygomatico-transmandibular approach (ZTMA) is described in detail. Conclusions: An anatomical basic knowledge would be required for the appropriate management of the ITF pathology for diverse specialized doctors, including maxillofacial, plastic, and vascular surgeons. The ITF approach, in conjunction with the application of microsurgical techniques and improved perioperative care, has permitted significant advances and successful curative outcomes for patients having malignancy in ITF.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
• /
• 제16권1호
• /
• pp.17-23
• /
• 2015

Background: Treatment of skull base tumors is challenging due to limited access and presence of important neurovascular structures nearby. The success of a complete tumor resection depends on the extent of tumor exposure and secure field of view. While these tumors are often removed by transcranial endoscopic access, transfacial approach is sometimes required depending on the location and size of the tumor. This study describes various transfacial approaches in patients undergoing skull base tumor resection. Methods: From March to November 2013, 15 patients underwent skull base tumor resection via transfacial accesses at a tertiary institution. Data were reviewed for patient demographics, type of access used, completeness of tumor resection, surgical outcome, and postoperative complications. Results: Two clivus tumor patients underwent transmaxillary approach; three tuberculum-sellae and suprasellar-hypothalamus tumor patients underwent transbasal approach; three clinoid and retrobulbar intraconal orbital tumor patients underwent orbitozygomatic approach; and seven petroclival-area, pons, cavernous sinus, and lateral-sphenoid-wing tumor patients underwent zygomatic approach. In all cases, the upper and lower margins of the tumor were visible. Complete tumor removal consisted of 10 cases, and partial tumor removal in 5. There were no immediate major complications observed for the transfacial portion of the operations. The overall cosmetic results were satisfactory. Conclusion: Plastic surgeons can use various transfacial approaches according to the location and size of skull base tumors to secure a sufficient field of view for neurosurgeons.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제65권3호
• /
• pp.457-468
• /
• 2022

Objective : The clinical management paradigm of skull base chordomas is still challenging. Surgical resection plays an important role of affecting the prognosis. Endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) has gradually become the preferred surgical approach in most cases, but traditional transcranial surgery cannot be completely replaced. This study presents a comparison of the results of the two surgical strategies and a summary of the treatment algorithms for skull base chordomas. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the surgical outcomes and follow-up data of 48 patients with skull base chordomas diagnosed pathologically who received transnasal midline approaches (TMA) and transcranial lateral approaches (TLA) from 2010 to 2020. Results : Among the 48 patients, 36 cases were adopted TMA and 12 cases were performed with TLA. In terms of gross total resection (GTR) rate, 27.8% in TMA and 16.7% in TLA and with EEA alone it was increased to 38.9%, while 29.7% in primary surgery. In TMA, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak remains the most common complication (13 cases, 36.1%), other main complications included death, cranial nerve palsy, hypopituitarism, all the comparisons were no statistical significance. The Karnofsky Performance Scale scores in TMA were all better than those in TLA at different time, and the overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival/progression free survival was just the reverse. Conclusion : The EEA for skull base chordomas resection has improved the GTR rate, but transcranial approach is still an alternative approach. It is necessary to select an appropriate surgical approach based on the location and the pattern of tumor growth in order to obtain the best surgical outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제29권1호
• /
• pp.44-50
• /
• 2000

Objective : A few anecdotal cases of mesenchyme-derived tumors which grow into a cranial cavity have been reported that disclosed a dismal prognosis, due to their critical location, aggressive biological behavior, and high rate of surgical morbidity. The aim of this study is to search clinical factors related to these tumors. Methods : Eight patients who underwent surgical removal of intracranial mesenchymal tumors between January 1993 and December 1997 were studied retrospectively. The tumors included are three chordomas, two chondrosarcomas, two rhabdomyosarcomas, and one hemangiopericytoma. Authors compared clinical features, treatment, and results of our cases with reported cases. The mean follow-up period was 20.5 months. Results : All cases showed nonspecific, location-related clinical findings and arose from sphenopetroclival region. Single stage operation was performed in 4 cases, and skull base approaches in 3 cases. Adjuvant therapies were done in 2 cases. Recurrence was seen in 3 cases(37.5%), and 3 patients died. Interdisciplinary approach with otologic surgeon was done in 2 cases. Conclusion : Recent advancement of refined tactics has made these tumors amenable and provides prolongation of progression-free survival. These are modified skull base approaches, multi-modality treatment options, and inter-disciplinary team approaches. Good results may be expected for these mesenchymal tumors by aggressive resection and adjuvant therapies according to their biological nature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제64권4호
• /
• pp.619-630
• /
• 2021

Objective : The skull base reconstruction step, which prevents cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, is one of the most challenging steps in endoscopic skull base surgery (ESS). The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes and complications of a reconstruction technique for immediate CSF leakage repair using multiple onlay grafts following ESS. Methods : A total of 230 consecutive patients who underwent skull base reconstruction using multiple onlay grafts with fibrin sealant patch (FSP), hydroxyapatite cement (HAC), and pedicled nasoseptal flap (PNF) for high-flow CSF leakage following ESS at three institutions were enrolled. We retrospectively reviewed the medical and radiological records to analyze the preoperative features and postoperative results. Results : The diagnoses included craniopharyngioma (46.8%), meningioma (34.0%), pituitary adenoma (5.3%), chordoma (1.6%), Rathke's cleft cyst (1.1%) and others (n=21, 11.2%). The trans-planum/tuberculum approach (94.3%) was the most commonly adapted surgical method, followed by the trans-sellar and transclival approaches. The third ventricle was opened in 78 patients (41.5%). Lumbar CSF drainage was not performed postoperatively in any of the patients. Postoperative CSF leakage occurred in four patients (1.7%) due to technical mistakes and were repaired with the same technique. However, postoperative meningitis occurred in 13.5% (n=31) of the patients, but no microorganisms were identified. The median latency to the diagnosis of meningitis was 8 days (range, 2-38). CSF leakage was the unique risk factor for postoperative meningitis (p<0.001). Conclusion : The use of multiple onlay grafts with FSP, HAC, and PNF is a reliable reconstruction technique that provides immediate and complete CSF leakage repair and mucosal grafting on the skull base without the need to harvest autologous tissue or perform postoperative CSF diversion. However, postoperative meningitis should be monitored carefully.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제29권7호
• /
• pp.910-917
• /
• 2000

Introduction : The management of chordomas and chondrosarcomas in the skull base is difficult due to the critical location, locally aggressive nature, and high recurrence rate. The authors present the effectiveness of surgical removal and radiation therapy on survival and tumor recurrence. Material and Methods : Thirty cranial base chordomas and chondrosarcomas from 23 patients(14 patients with chordomas and 9 patients with chondrosarcomas) were operated in our institution between 1985 and 1998. There were 15 men and 8 women, with a mean age of 40.7 years. The largest diameter of tumors ranged from 15 to 70mm (mean 41.5). The extent of surgical removal was subtotal or total in a half(15 operations). In nineteen operations, tumors were removed by conventional approaches and skull base approaches were applied in 11 operations. Postoperative radiation therapy was performed in 16(70%) patients. The mean duration of follow up is 50 months(1- 156 months). Results : The 3- and 5-year survival rates(YSR) of overall patient are 75% and 67%, respectively. The analysis showed that 1) skull base approach to chordomas and chondrosarcomas showed a tendency to remove more portion of the tumors(p＝0.058) but leave more frequent incidence of new deficits(p＝0.047) : 2) larger tumor diameter af-fected the extent of removal(p＝0.028) : 3) the extent of removal seemed to be the determining factor for overall survival and recurrence-free survival(the 5-YSR and RFSR of subtotal or total removal group are 92% and 80% vs. 40% of partial removal or biopsy group) : 4) conventional radiation therapy improved patient survival(5-YSR of patients who received RT is 76% whereas 5-YSR of those who didn't receive RT is 43%) but failed to prolong long-term recurrence-free survival. Conclusion : The extent of removal and postoperative radiation therapy are determining factors of patients' survival in skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas. However, none of these factors significantly influenced the survival in multivariate analysis. Aggressive surgical removal of more than subtotal resection combined with postoperative radiation therapy seems to be the choice of therapy in the management of these tumors.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제29권11호
• /
• pp.1437-1444
• /
• 2000

저자들은 10년동안 수술을 시행받았던 212례의 수막종 환자중 뇌기저부에 위치한 61례에 대한 임상 분석을 시행한 결과 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1) 본 연구기간중 뇌기저부 수막종 환자는 61례로 전체의 29%를 차지하였으며, 평균 추적기간은 약 52개월이었다. 2) 성비는 여성이 남성보다 약 2배 많았으며, 평균연령은 52세였다. 3) 위치별로는 후두개와가 가장 많았으며, 전체적으로는 접형골연부, 천막부 및 소뇌교각부가 대부분을 차지하였다. 4) 호발증상 및 징후로는 두통, 뇌신경마비 및 소뇌징후 순으로 나타났다. 5) 종양제거정도는 심슨등급 I, II로 전적출한 경우가 82%이었으며, 심슨등급 III로 아전적출한 경우가 18%이었다. 6) 병리조직결과는 양성이 85%로 대부분을 차지하였으며, 비정형성과 악성은 각각 10%, 5%를 차지하였다. 7) 술후 보조적 치료는 악성, 부분적출 및 재발한 경우에 사용하였다. 8) 술후 합병증으로는 뇌척수액누출, 뇌신경마비 및 간질 발작 순이었다. 9) 술후 사망한 경우는 수술후 사망한 1례와 종양 재발에 의한 사망 2례이었다. 10) 재발은 약 15%로 심슨등급 III와 악성인 경우에 높았으며, 재발 위치는 천막부, 접형골연 및 소뇌교각부 순이었다. 결론적으로 뇌기저부 수막종의 수술은 종양 주변부의 중요한 구조물이 위치함에 따라 낮은 사망률 및 합병증 발생률을 가지고 수술적 적출이 어렵지만, 술전 방사선학적 소견의 정확한 이해와 적절한 접근법의 선택, 뇌기저부 재건술이 술후 합병증의 감소 및 종양적출을 위해 필수라고 생각한다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제48권4호
• /
• pp.383-387
• /
• 2010

Complete removal of three-compartment trigeminal schwannomas is a challenge to neurosurgeons. To expand exposure of each compartment, the combination and modification of skull base approaches are necessary. The 61-year-old woman was admitted with chronic headache. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed $47{\times}50{\times}40\;mm$-sized tumor originating primarily in the middle cranial fossa extended to the posterior and the infratemporal fossa. We performed operation in five stage; 1. Zygomatic osteotomy, 2. Inferior temporal fossa plate removal and foramen ovale opening, 3. Cavernous sinus opening, 4. Tailored anterior petrosectomy, 5. Meckel's cave opening. Combination of skull base surgery should be concerned according to the patient. In this study, extradural basal extension with zygomatic osteotomy, interdural posterior extension with tailored anterior petrosectomy, and intracavemous exploration are reasonable options for remodeling three-compartment lesion into a single compartment. Tailoring of bone resection and exploring through natural pathway between meningeal layers accomplish single-stage operation for complete removal of tumors.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제53권4호
• /
• pp.218-222
• /
• 2013

Objective : To clarify the anatomical correlations of the sphenoid sinus with surrounding structures in the normal Korean population, and to identify surgical landmarks for safe sellar floor dissection in the anterior skull base by endoscopy and microscopy. Methods : We reviewed the 196 brain magnetic resonance imaging findings showing a normal appearance, and measured the distances between anatomical landmarks. Results : The mean distances from the base of the columella to the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus and the sellar floor were $69.71{\pm}4.25$ mm and $86.26{\pm}4.57$ mm, respectively in the over 15 age group, and showed the smallest degree of variation among the measurements. The mean angles between the floor of the nasal cavity and the straight line connecting the base of the columella and the sellar floor were $29.45{\pm}3.25^{\circ}$ and $24.75{\pm}4.00^{\circ}$ in the over 15 and under 15 age groups, respectively. The mean values of both distances and angles increased with age until 15 years after which no further increases were evident. There were no significant differences in the measurements between males and females or among subjects with different degrees of pneumatization in the over 15 age group. Conclusion : The distances from the base of the columella to the sellar floor and the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus, which were consistent among individuals, could be used as a surgical indicator to investigate the sellar floor in endoscopic or microscopic transsphenoidal approaches.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제29권1호
• /
• pp.118-125
• /
• 2000

Objective : Trigeminal neurinomas are rare tumors that may locate in the middle fossa or posterior fossa and straddled both the middle and posterior fossa, according to their origin in the nerve complex. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical presentation, operative approaches employed and outcome in 15 patients who were treated surgically, with special emphasis on surgical approach. Method : Between 1994 and 1998, a total of fifteen patients were histopathologically identified as neurinomas originating from the trigeminal nerve complex at the tumor clinic in the neuroscience center of the our university. Results : The surgical approach to these tumors depends on their anatomical location and tumor size. Six patients had tumors confined to the middle fossa, five patients had tumors limited to the posterior fossa, and four patients both in middle and posterior fossa components of their tumors. Nine neurinomas were removed via the conventional approach(pterional, subtemporal, suboccipital) and six were excised using skull base approach(transzygomatic subtemporal, orbitozygomatic, transpetrosal). Total resection of the tumor was possible in 10 cases. Total resection of tumor was accomplished in 83% of patients following skull base approach compared with 56% of patients following conventional approach. The surgical outcome was excellent or good in 13 cases, fair in one and, poor in one. There was no operative death. In the immediate postoperative period, aggravation of preoperative facial hypesthesia and 6th cranial nerve palsy were common. Although, these deficits were generally transient, eight patients remained with some degree of trigeminal hypesthesia, two had facial weakness, one neurotrophic keratitis, one diplopia, and one mastication difficulty. Conclusion : Surgical approach to the trigeminal neurinoma depends on the tumor location and tumor size. Skull base approach provides more complete tumor excision without increased morbidity compared to conventional approach. Surgeons have to be meticulous in order to reduce postoperative complication.