Endoscopic Anatomy of the Zygomatic Nerve: Implications for the Endoscopic Transmaxillary Approach

Background Understanding the anatomic features of the zygomatic nerve is critical for performing the endoscopic transmaxillary approach properly. Injury to the zygomatic nerve can result in facial numbness and corneal problems. Objective To evaluate the surgical anatomy of the zygomatic nerve and its segments from an endoscopic endonasal perspective for clinical implications of performing the endoscopic transmaxillary approach. Methods The origin, course, length, and segments of the zygomatic nerve were studied in four specimens from an endonasal perspective. Results The zygomatic nerve arises 4.1 ± 1.7 mm from the foramen rotundum of the maxillary nerve in the superolateral pterygopalatine fossa (PPF). According to its anatomic region in endonasal endoscopic surgery, we divided the zygomatic nerve into two segments: the PPF segment, from origin to the point of entry under Muller's muscle, which runs superolaterally to the inferior orbital fissure (IOF) (length, 4.6 ± 1.3 mm), and the IOF segment, starting at the entry point in Muller's muscle and terminating at the exit point in the IOF, which travels between Muller's muscle and the great wing of the sphenoid bone (length, 19.6 ± 3.6 mm). In the transmaxillary approach, the zygomatic nerve is a critical landmark in the superolateral PPF. Conclusion The zygomatic nerve travels in the PPF and the IOF; better visualization and preservation of this nerve during endonasal endoscopic surgery are crucial for successful outcomes.

Precision Postoperative Radiotherapy in Sinonasal Carcinomas after Endonasal Endoscopic Surgery

Radiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of sinonasal cancer, mainly in the adjuvant setting after surgical resection. Many technological approaches have been described, including intensity-modulated radiotherapy, concomitant chemoradiotherapy, charged particle therapy or combined approaches. The choice is based on general criteria related to the oncological results and morbidity of each technique and their availability, as well as specific criteria related to the tumor (tumor extensions, pathology and quality of margins). The aims of this review are: (i) to provide an overview of the radiotherapy techniques available for the management of sinonasal malignant tumors and (ii) to describe the constraints and opportunities of radiotherapy owing to the recent developments of endonasal endoscopic surgery. The indication and morbidity of the different techniques will be discussed based on a critical literature review.

Mucocele in a pneumatized pterygoid process, challenging case managed by endoscopic surgery

We report the first published case of a mucocele found in a pneumatized pterygoid process (PPP) managed by endonasal endoscopic surgery. This case report highlights the difficulties that can arise from PPP during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) as the one encountered here

A Case of Endonasal Endoscopic Surgery for Intraorbital Metastasis of Gastric Ring Cell Carcinoma

Gastric signet ring cell carcinoma has well-known metastatic features, including peritoneal dissemination and carcinomatous lymphangitis of the lung, but no intraorbital metastases were reported previously. A woman in her 60s developed left eye pain, sudden vision loss, and headache 12 years after gastric cancer treatment. Symptoms did not improve despite steroid pulses. Craniotomy showed no malignant findings. The patient was referred to our department for symptomatic relief and biopsy due to the lack of a definitive diagnosis and no improvement in her ocular pain. Endonasal endoscopic surgery was performed for diagnostic purposes and to relieve symptoms through orbital decompression. Preoperative computed tomography examination revealed a tumor at the left medial orbit, extending to the orbital apex. Orbital decompression through the open left medial orbital wall was performed with biopsy of the intraorbital tumor. Pathological findings were consistent with metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma. Pain and subjective improvement of visual acuity were noted the day after surgery. Twelve months postoperatively, diplopia remains, but there has been no worsening of symptoms.

A COVID-19 Patient Who Underwent Endonasal Endoscopic Pituitary Adenoma Resection: A Case Report

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE A pituitary adenoma patient who underwent surgery in our department was diagnosed with COVID-19 and 14 medical staff were confirmed infected later. This case has been cited several times but without accuracy or entirety, we feel obligated to report it and share our thoughts on the epidemic among medical staff and performing endonasal endoscopic surgery during COVID-19 pandemic. CLINICAL PRESENTATION The patient developed a fever 3 d post endonasal endoscopic surgery during which cerebrospinal leak occurred, and was confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection later. Several medical staff outside the operating room were diagnosed with COVID-19, while the ones who participated in the surgery were not. CONCLUSION The deceptive nature of COVID-19 results from its most frequent onset symptom, fever, a cliché in neurosurgery, which makes it hard for surgeons to differentiate. The COVID-19 epidemic among medical staff in our department was deemed as postoperative rather than intraoperative transmission, and attributed to not applying sufficient personal airway protection. Proper personal protective equipment and social distancing between medical staff contributed to limiting epidemic since the initial outbreak. Emergency endonasal endoscopic surgeries are feasible since COVID-19 is still supposed to be containable when the surgeries are performed in negative pressure operating rooms with personal protective equipment and the patients are kept under quarantine postoperatively. However, we do not encourage elective surgeries during this pandemic, which might put patients in conditions vulnerable to COVID-19.