AIMS: The application of endoscope-assisted microsurgery in the treatment of small or medium-sized vestibular schwannomas is of proven value. The goal of our study is to evaluate its usefulness in cases of large schwannomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients were included in this prospective study. Their average tumor diameter was 3.9 cm. The retrosigmoid approach was used in all cases. The endoscope was applied during all stages of tumor removal. RESULTS: The facial nerve was visualized endoscopically at early stages of surgery in 9 patients and the abducent nerve in 7 patients. The source of bleeding was identified in 1 case. Tumor remnants in the region of the fundus of the internal auditory canal after apparently total removal were identified in 2 cases. Exposed and unobliterated temporal bone air cells were not observed. DISCUSSION: Even in cases of large schwannomas, the location of the facial nerve can be determined endoscopically early in the procedure. The application of endoscope-assisted microsurgery increases the rate of cranial nerve preservation and of total tumor removal. Although the application of the endoscope did not provide useful information in some cases, it is a safe procedure that did not lead to any complications and/or to considerable prolongation of the operative time. Its application is justified in all cases.
AIMS: The application of endoscope-assisted microsurgery in the treatment of small or medium-sized vestibular schwannomas is of proven value. The goal of our study is to evaluate its usefulness in cases of large schwannomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients were included in this prospective study. Their average tumor diameter was 3.9 cm. The retrosigmoid approach was used in all cases. The endoscope was applied during all stages of tumor removal. RESULTS: The facial nerve was visualized endoscopically at early stages of surgery in 9 patients and the abducent nerve in 7 patients. The source of bleeding was identified in 1 case. Tumor remnants in the region of the fundus of the internal auditory canal after apparently total removal were identified in 2 cases. Exposed and unobliterated temporal bone air cells were not observed. DISCUSSION: Even in cases of large schwannomas, the location of the facial nerve can be determined endoscopically early in the procedure. The application of endoscope-assisted microsurgery increases the rate of cranial nerve preservation and of total tumor removal. Although the application of the endoscope did not provide useful information in some cases, it is a safe procedure that did not lead to any complications and/or to considerable prolongation of the operative time. Its application is justified in all cases.
Authors: Daniele Starnoni; Lorenzo Giammattei; Giulia Cossu; Michael J Link; Pierre-Hugues Roche; Ari G Chacko; Kenji Ohata; Majid Samii; Ashish Suri; Michael Bruneau; Jan F Cornelius; Luigi Cavallo; Torstein R Meling; Sebastien Froelich; Marcos Tatagiba; Albert Sufianov; Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos; Idoya Zazpe; Moncef Berhouma; Emmanuel Jouanneau; Jeroen B Verheul; Constantin Tuleasca; Mercy George; Marc Levivier; Mahmoud Messerer; Roy Thomas Daniel Journal: Acta Neurochir (Wien) Date: 2020-07-29 Impact factor: 2.216
Authors: L Presutti; F Magnaguagno; G Pavesi; E Cunsolo; G Pinna; M Alicandri-Ciufelli; D Marchioni; A Prontera; F M Gioacchini Journal: Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Date: 2014-12 Impact factor: 2.124