Search Results (4)

Background/Objectives: Resection of tumors invading the cavernous sinus (CS) carries a risk of injury to the cranial nerves and internal carotid artery. Therefore, radical surgery involving lesions around the CS remains challenging, especially for lesions invading the CS, optic sheath, and oculomotor cave. Here, we describe a surgical strategy for meningiomas invading these structures and report on the clinical outcomes. Methods: Surgical resection was indicated in patients with neurological symptoms or rapid tumor growth for the restoration of cranial nerve function. We investigated 13 patients who had preoperative images of CS invasion, underwent surgical resection, and were followed-up with magnetic resonance imaging for at least 1 year between July 2017 and July 2024. Their preoperative symptoms, postoperative course, adjuvant therapy, postoperative complications, degree of resection, and recurrence were evaluated. Results: The mean patient age was 59.1 years (range, 23–73 years), and 10 were female. Major preoperative symptoms included oculomotor nerve paresis in 8 patients (61.5%), abducens nerve paresis in 6 (46.2%), visual disturbance in 7 (53.8%), and brain swelling in 3 (23.1%). These symptoms improved at least partially after surgery in 7 (87.5%), 5 (83.3%), 7 (100%), and 3 (100%) patients, respectively. Major postoperative complications included contralateral visual deterioration in 1 patient (7.7%) and brief transient slight hemiparesis caused by internal carotid vasospasm or dissection in 2 (15.4%). Four patients with residual atypical meningioma in the CS underwent intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The lesions in 6 patients recurred or regrew, resulting in additional treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery in 2 patients, IMRT in 3, and resection in 1. Conclusions: Our surgical strategy for the surgical resection of meningiomas in and around the CS for the restoration of cranial nerve function is safe and effective, with only transient acceptable injuries. Even if the tumor in the CS is too stiff to be removed, it is important to open the optic nerve sheath and oculomotor cave widely to effectively remove the tumor. Full article

Understanding and addressing post-radical prostatectomy (RP) erectile dysfunction (ED) is of paramount importance for clinicians. Cavernous nerve (CN) injury rat model studies have provided consistently promising experimental data regarding regaining erectile function (EF) after nerve damage-induced ED. However, these findings have failed to translate efficiently into clinical practice, with post-RP ED therapeutic management remaining cumbersome and enigmatic. This disparity highlights the need for further standardization and optimization of the elaborate surgical preparation protocols and multifaceted reporting parameters involved in reliable CN injury rat model experimentation. Even so, despite its technical complexity, this animal model remains instrumental in exploring the functional implications of RP, i.e., surgical lesions of the neurovascular bundles (NVBs). Herein, besides cavernous nerve (CN) dissection, injury, and electrostimulation, multiple pressure measurements, i.e., mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intra-cavernosal pressure (ICP), must also be achieved. A transverse cervical incision allows for carotid artery cannulation and MAP measurements. Conversely, ICP measurements entail circumcising the penis, exposing the ischiocavernous muscle, and inserting a needle into the corporal body. Finally, using an abdominal incision, the prostate is revealed, and the major pelvic ganglia (MPG) and CNs are dissected bilaterally. Specific surgical techniques are used to induce CN injuries. Herein, we provide a narrative and illustrative overview regarding these complex experimental procedures and their particular requirements, reflecting on current evidence and future research perspectives. Full article

Background: The transorbital approaches (TOAs) have acquired growing notoriety, thanks to their ability to offer alternative corridors to the skull base. However, the limited access and the unfamiliarity with this surgical perspective make recognition of key landmarks difficult, especially for less experienced surgeons. The study wants to offer a detailed description of the anatomy to comprehend the potential and limitations of TOAs. Methods: Measurements of the orbit region and the surrounding areas were performed on two hundred high-resolution CT scans and thirty-nine dry skulls. Five specimens were dissected to illustrate the TOA, and one was used to perform the extradural clinoidectomy. Three clinical cases highlighted the surgical applications. Results: A step-by-step description of the key steps of the TOA was proposed and a comparison with the transcranial anterior clinoidectomy was discussed. The mean work distance was 6.1 ± 0.4 cm, and the lateral working angle increased 20 ± 5.4° after removing the lateral orbital rim. Conclusions: TOAs are indicated in selected cases when tumor involves the lateral portion of the cavernous sinus or the middle skull base, obtaining a direct decompression of the optic nerve and avoiding excessive manipulation of the neurovascular structures. Comprehension of surgical anatomy of the orbit and its surrounding structures is essential to safely perform these approaches. Full article

Background: The cavernous sinus (CS) is a highly vulnerable anatomical space, mainly due to the neurovascular structures that it contains; therefore, a detailed knowledge of its anatomy is mandatory for surgical unlocking. In this study, we compared the anatomy of this region from different endoscopic and microsurgical operative corridors, further focusing on the corresponding anatomic landmarks encountered along these routes. Furthermore, we tried to define the safe entry zones to this venous space from these three different operative corridors, and to provide indications regarding the optimal approach according to the lesion’s location. Methods: Five embalmed and injected adult cadaveric specimens (10 sides) separately underwent dissection and exposure of the CS via superior eyelid endoscopic transorbital (SETOA), extended endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal-transethmoidal (EEEA), and microsurgical transcranial fronto-temporo-orbito-zygomatic (FTOZ) approaches. The anatomical landmarks and the content of this venous space were described and compared from these surgical perspectives. Results: The oculomotor triangle can be clearly exposed only by the FTOZ approach. Unlike EEEA, for the exposure of the clinoid triangle content, the anterior clinoid process removal is required for FTOZ and SETOA. The supra- and infratrochlear as well as the anteromedial and anterolateral triangles can be exposed by all three corridors. The most recently introduced SETOA allowed for the exposure of the entire lateral wall of the CS without entering its neurovascular structures and part of the posterior wall; furthermore, thanks to its anteroposterior trajectory, it allowed for the disclosure of the posterior ascending segment of the cavernous ICA with the related sympathetic plexus through the Mullan’s triangle, in a minimally invasive fashion. Through the anterolateral triangle, the transorbital corridor allowed us to expose the lateral 180 degrees of the Vidian nerve and artery in the homonymous canal, the anterolateral aspect of the lacerum segment of the ICA at the transition zone from the petrous horizontal to the ascending posterior cavernous segment, surrounded by the carotid sympathetic plexus, and the medial Meckel’s cave. Conclusions: Different regions of the cavernous sinus are better exposed by different surgical corridors. The relationship of the tumor with cranial nerves in the lateral wall guides the selection of the approach to cavernous sinus lesions. The transorbital endoscopic approach can be considered to be a safe and minimally invasive complementary surgical corridor to the well-established transcranial and endoscopic endonasal routes for the exposure of selected lesions of the cavernous sinus. Nevertheless, peer knowledge of the anatomy and a surgical learning curve are required. Full article