Combined Pipeline Embolization Device with Endoscopic Endonasal Fascia Lata/Muscle Graft Repair as a Salvage Technique for Treatment of Iatrogenic Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm

The incidence of internal carotid artery (ICA) injury associated with endoscopic endonasal approaches to the pituitary is less than 1%. While parent vessel sacrifice has historically been the choice of treatment, vessel-preserving endovascular techniques have been reported. Although flow diversion offers endoluminal reconstruction, its major limitation is the delay in obtaining complete occlusion. We describe the use of a combined Pipeline embolization device (PED) with endoscopic endonasal repair using a fascia lata/muscle graft to treat an iatrogenic ICA pseudoaneurysm and report long-term radiographic follow-up. Further investigation into the utility of directed endoscopic endonasal repair of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms initially treated with PED is necessary, especially given the need of post-PED anticoagulation and the rate of permanent neurological deficit after ICA sacrifice.

Microvascular Decompression using muscle graft for interposition: A retrospective study

Objective: This studies aims to evaluate the outcome of Microvascular Decompression (MVD) using a muscle graft for interposition in Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), Hemifacial Spasm (HFS) and Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia (GPN). All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon (G.R.S). Methods: In total, 26 patients with TN, HFS and GPN underwent MVD from September 2007 to April 2019. All the patients were either medically refractory or poor symptom tolerance. The mean follow-up period was 72 months. Results: Each MVD was performed using an autologous muscle graft with interposition of vessels. One patient (3.84%) had reoccurrence after MVD with muscle graft and two patients (7.69%) had partial relief. Conclusion: Various types of prosthesis are used for transposition and interposition of vessels in MVD surgeries. Although in our case series we didn't use any prosthesis for the comparative outcome, the use of muscle graft showed minimal reoccurrence rate with benefit of being cost effective. Therefore, we need randomized controlled trials to prove the superiority of muscle graft from other prosthesis material.

Basilar Artery Injury During Endonasal Surgery: Stepwise to Control Bleeding

BACKGROUND Intraoperative injury during endoscopic endonasal surgery of the carotid artery has been previously described in the literature. However, the accidental damage of the basilar artery in such scenario is not defined. OBJECTIVE To define the protocol of action for massive bleeding from an artery in the posterior fossa. METHODS The reported patient was diagnosed with a partially calcified clival chordoma featured by a huge intradural component. An endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid transclival approach was selected for the treatment of this tumor. During the surgical procedure, the basilar artery injury was injured, causing intense bleeding. We present and discuss the surgical maneuvers that could save a patient's life after this dramatic complication. RESULTS Different techniques were performed in order to control the massive bleeding, including injection of hemotastic matrix with thrombin (Floseal©), bipolar coagulation, and vessel reconstruction by means of a vascular clip. Finally, an autologous muscle graft reinforced with an overlying fibrin sealant patch (Tachosil©) was chosen and was an effective technique. Afterwards, the patient was treated with a flow diverter device to occlude an iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm. A monoplegia of the right upper limb was the only remarkable sequel 6 mo after surgery. CONCLUSION The muscle graft together with the coordinated action with interventional neuroradiology for the reconstruction of the vessel are possibly the best options to try to preserve the neurological function. In such a scenario, the assumption of potential ischemic events prevails over the intraoperative death of the patient.

Microvascular Decompression using Muscle Graft for Vertebral Artery Medullary Compression Syndrome

It is well known that brainstem dysfunction may be caused by vascular compression of the medulla oblongata. However, only a limited number of reports have found microvascular decompression surgery to be an effective treatment for symptomatic patients with medulla oblongata dysfunction. This report describes a patient with vertebral artery compression of lateral medulla oblongata who presented with lateral medullary syndrome. Microvascular decompression surgery using the transcondylar fossa approach was effective in relieving patient symptoms. The transcondylar fossa approach and the transposition of vertebral artery along with autologous muscle graft interposition technique is appropriate in microvascular decompression surgery to relieve vertebral artery compression of medulla oblongata.

Nasopharyngeal muscle patch for the management of internal carotid artery injury in endoscopic endonasal surgery

OBJECTIVEInjury to the internal carotid artery (ICA) is the most critical complication of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery. Packing with a crushed muscle graft at the injury site has been an effective management technique to control bleeding without ICA sacrifice. Obtaining the muscle graft has typically required access to another surgical site, however. To address this concern, the authors investigated the application of an endonasally harvested longus capitis muscle patch for the management of ICA injury.METHODSOne colored silicone-injected anatomical specimen was dissected to replicate the surgical access to the nasopharynx and the stepwise dissection of the longus capitis muscle in the nasopharynx. Two representative cases were selected to illustrate the application of the longus capitis muscle patch and the relevance of clinical considerations.RESULTSA suitable muscle graft from the longus capitis muscle could be easily and quickly harvested during endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery. In the illustrative cases, the longus capitis muscle patch was successfully used for secondary prevention of pseudoaneurysm formation following primary bleeding control on the site of ICA injury.CONCLUSIONSNasopharyngeal harvest of a longus capitis muscle graft is a safe and practical method to manage ICA injury during endoscopic endonasal surgery.

Extradural autologous temporal muscle graft mimicking a meningioma

Meningiomas are the most common dural tumour, but there are also many other dural masses which mimic their appearances, such as neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. In this paper we report another mass which may mimic a dural lesion, namely a muscle graft harvested from the temporal site and left in situ, used to achieve haemostasis in a posttraumatic temporal extradural hematoma in a young male patient. Solid knowledge of differentiating neuroimaging characteristics of dural masses, as well as its corroboration with the patient’s medical history are extremely helpful in establishing an accurate diagnostic.

Surgical management of sacral meningeal cysts by obstructing the communicating holes with muscle graft

Background The surgical indication and treatment of sacral meningeal cyst have not been well established and current methods are usually accompanied by complications and recurrence. The aim of this study is to discuss the treatment of symptomatic sacral meningeal cyst, by investigating the surgical results of our surgically treated patients, and minimize the complications and recurrence. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients with symptomatic sacral meningeal cysts who were surgically treated by a single surgeon in the same institution from 2002 to 2017. All patients underwent the same operation by incising the cyst wall and obstructing the communicating hole with muscle graft, while the cyst wall was left untreated instead of resected or imbricated. The obstruction was verified by doing a Valsalva-like maneuver. The preoperative symptoms and signs, and the outcomes at most recent follow-up were rated and compared by Neurological Scoring System. Results A total of 18 patients (7 male patients and 11 female patients, average age 42.3 years) were followed up for an average of 51.7 months. All patients had communicating holes linking the cysts and the dural sacs. The average preoperative neurological score was 19.7 ± 2.2, and it was improved to 23.2 ± 2.8 at the most recent follow-up (p < 0.01). Conclusions The sacral meningeal cyst originated from the communication with the dural sac. Surgical treatment of symptomatic sacral meningeal cysts can yield a long-term resolution of the appropriately selected patient’s symptoms. Obstructing the communicating hole with muscle graft is an effective and simple method to obliterate the cyst. The incised cyst wall can be left untreated instead of resected or imbricated.