Microsurgical resection of ventral foramen magnum meningiomas via a far-lateral suboccipital approach

BACKGROUND: In recent years some reports have been published propagating microsurgical resection of ventral foramen magnum meningiomas (VFMMs). Operative approaches to these lesions have been studied by various authors, but remain controversial. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the operative technique and outcome in patients with VFMMs who had been treated via a far lateral suboccipital approach. DESIGN: Retrospectively clinic case investigation. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, the Ninth People's Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. PARTICIPANTS: Between January 1997 and June 2003, 10 patients were treated surgically with VFMMs in Department of Neurosurgery, the Ninth People's Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. In the series of 10 patients, ages ranged from 37 to 72 years, mean (53±10) years, were consisted of 6 males and 4 females. All the subjects were informed of the treatment plan and agreed to join the experiment. Early symptoms included headache and upper cervical pain. The time between the first occurrence of symptoms and the diagnosis ranged from 6 months to 17 months, mean (10.3±3.4) months. Main presenting symptoms were unilateral upper extremity sensory and motor deficits in 6 cases, swallowing difficulties in 2 and spastic quadriparesis in 2. VFMMs were demonstrated as round by the computed tomographic (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in all patients. The maximum diameter of tumors ranged from 2 to 4 cm, mean (2.55±0.57) cm, including 2 cm in one case, 2.0-3.0 cm in six and 3.0-4.0 cm in three. METHODS: ①All tumors were removed via the far lateral suboccipital approach. Resection of the posterior 5 mm of the condyle was necessary in one patient whose tumors' diameter were 2 cm. The patient was situated in the lateral decubitus position. The head was fixed in a Mayfield headrest. A C-shaped incision made behind the ear 2 cm medial to the mastoid process, turning vertically down to the level C4, to expose the extradural segment of the vertebral artery (VA). After the dura was opened longitudinally behind VA entry point, the tumor was revealed to identify the complete cranial nerves and the intracranial VA under magnification of the surgical microscope. Every attempt should be made to keep the arachnoid and the dentate ligament was sectioned. Then the tumor was debulked significantly, and dissected away from the cranial nerves and the blood vessels with microsurgical techniques. If it was risk to dissect tumor from the vertebral artery, its branches, or any cranial nerve, the progression was discontinued and portion of the tumor was left behind. After resection of the tumor, the site of its attachment was coagulated and the involved layer of dura was resected. ②The degree of tumor resection was classified based on Al-Mefty's grade into three categories: gross-total resection: excision of the dural attachment and drilling of adjacent bone; near-total resection: a few millimeters of insulated and cauterized tumor were left on the vertebral artery or other vital; subtotal resection: more than 50% of the tumor mass were removed. ③All patients underwent clinical examination for lower cranial nerves or long tract deficits on the first day postoperatively. CT or MRI and neurological examinations were performed at 3 months of follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operative effect. RESULTS: All ten patients with VFMMs were treated via a far lateral suboccipital approach. Gross total resection was achieved in 6 patients, near-total resection was carried out in 2 and subtotal resection in 2 patients. One patients died in the postoperative period due to acute respiratory distress syndrome, five patients kept normal neurological status, whereas other four patients suffered from lower cranial nerve deficits and aspiration pneumonia was observed in two of them. The data of following up for 3 months showed that 2 patients still had lower cranial nerve deficit and others recovered from their illness. No tumor relapse or increment was found in CT or MRI scans. CONCLUSION: Most of VFMMs could be totally removed via a far lateral suboccipital approach with or without resection of the occipital condyle according to the tumor size, allowing most of these patients to achieve a good outcome in a 3 months follow-up.

Microanatomical on brainstem ventral region via suboccipital far-lateral transcondylar approach

Objective To investigate the exposed areas in brainstem in brainstem ventral region via the suboccipital far lateral transcondylar approach. Methods Ten (20 sides) adult cadaveric specimens which perfused with colored silicone were studied. Stepwise dissections via the suboccipital far-lateral

Decompressive Craniectomy in Posterior Fossa Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic damage produced in the posterior cerebral territory causes significant morbidity and urgently must be considered if the patient need a surgical attitude. Surgical decompression by suboccipital craniectomy seams to be effective to treat secondary edema due to cerebellar damage or in posterior fossa, when medical treatment is not able to control side effects. We report a clinical case of a patient with a subacute ischemic infarction in the vertebro-basilar territory, with perilesional edema, and a posterior fossa decompressive craniectomy (DC) was carried out.

Comparison Study between Posterior Fossa Decompression with Duroplasty and Posterior Fossa Decompression without Duroplasty, in 20 Cases of Chiari I Malformation

Introduction: Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I) is typically defined as descent of the caudal tip of cerebellar tonsils at least 5 mm below the foramen magnum. The incidence of the malformation is not exactly known. Treatment of Chiari I malformation is debatable. Some advocate posterior fossa decompression (PFD) with duroplasty and others advocate posterior fossa decompression only without duroplasty. Aim of the Study: To compare the outcomes of patients who undergoing PFD with duroplasty and PFD without duroplasty, in Chiari I malformation. Patients and Methods: In the period between “January 2015-June 2016”, a prospective study was conducted involving 20 patients complaining of headache, motor and/or sensory affection secondary to Chiari I malformation. These patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The first one had PFD with duroplasty and the other will have PFD without duroplasty. All patients had chiari one malformation in form of tonsillar herniation and cervical or cervico-dorsal syrinx. The average follow-up period was 9 months. Results: Over 90% of patients had a good clinical outcome, with improvement or resolution of their symptoms at last follow-up. There were no major complications. The mean length of hospital stay was 2.0 days. There was no perioperative death or neurological deterioration. The use of duroplasty was significantly associated with presence of complications and longer duration of hospital stay. Conclusion: PFD without duroplasty in cases of chiari I malformation carries a good results as well as PFD with duroplasty with lower risk of complications.

Lipomatous Medulloblastoma: A Case Report

Lipomatous medulloblastoma is not a separate entity but apparently distinct variant of medulloblastoma. Since the first case report in 1978 by Bechtel et al. [1], few cases have been published. We report an additional case of a 52-year-old right-handed man presented to the emergency department with evaluation of progressive severe intracranial hypertension and ataxia. His past medical history was unremarkable. His physical examination showed cerebellar syndromes. He underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which revealed a unique mass in the posterior fossa, lying within a cerebellar hemisphere. The patient underwent a suboccipital craniotomy for with a complete resection and samples were sent for histologic examination, showing closely packed, and round to oval cells. The nuclei had an irregular shape with clumps of heterochromatin. Lipid accumulation was a prominent feature of neoplastic cells. Postoperatively the patient did not receive fractionated radiotherapy. He is alive without deficit and with no evidence of recurrence on neuroimaging.

Research progress of chronic cervicogenic headache based on the concept of muscular dural bridge complex

Since it was put forward in 1995,musculo-dural bridge has been widely concerned.With the deepening of research,the structure,shape and physiological functions of musculo-dural bridge are gradually known.Previous studies have found that the musculo-dural bridge between muscle and dura mater can not only transfer proprioception,prevent the rupture of dura mater and ensure the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid,but also be related to chronic cervicogenic headache.Therefore,this article mainly discusses the composition of musculo-dural bridge complex and its relationship with chronic cervicogenic headache,so as to provide a new diagnosis and treatment idea for the occurrence,development and treatment of related diseases in clinic.