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Purpose: To present the results of transcallosal surgical resection of hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) in 26 patients with refractory epilepsy in a prospective outcome study. Methods: Patients with refractory epilepsy symptomatic to HH were referred for surgical resection of their HH (mean age, 10.0 years; range, 2.1–24.2 years). A transcallosal, interforniceal approach was used to remove and/or disconnect the hamartoma. Volumetry was obtained on pre- and postoperative brain MRI scans to determine percentage of resection. Outcome assessment included determination of postoperative seizure frequencies in comparison to baseline and the incidence of postoperative complications. Postoperative changes in cognitive and behavioral functioning, in comparison to baseline, were elicited by parental report. Results: The average postoperative follow-up interval was 20.3 months (range, 13–28 months). Fourteen (54%) patients were completely seizure free, and nine (35%) had at least a 90% improvement in total seizure frequency. Parents reported postoperative improvement in behavior in 23 (88%) patients and in cognition in 17 (65%) patients. Transient postoperative memory disturbance was seen in 15 (58%) patients, but persisted in only two (8%). Two (8%) patients had persisting endocrine disturbance requiring hormone replacement therapy (diabetes insipidus and hypothyroidism in one each). With univariate analysis, the likelihood of a seizure-free outcome correlated with younger age, shorter lifetime duration of epilepsy, smaller preoperative HH volume, and 100% HH resection. Conclusions: Refractory epilepsy associated with HH can be safely and effectively treated with surgical resection by a transcallosal, interforniceal approach. Short-term memory deficits appear to be transient for most patients, and family perception of the impact of surgery on cognitive and behavioral domains is favorable. Complete resection yields the best result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The failure rate for the closed/non-surgical treatment of thoracic and lumbar vertebral body fractures (TLVBF) in trauma patients has not been adequately evaluated utilizing computed tomography (CT) studies., Methods: From 2007 to 2008, consecutive trauma patients, who met inclusion criteria, with a CT diagnosis of acute TLVBF undergoing closed treatment were assessed. The failure rates for closed therapy, at 3 months post-trauma, were defined by progressive deformity, vertebral body collapse, or symptomatic/asymptomatic pseudarthrosis. The Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) classification was utilized to classify the fractures (groups A1 and non-A1 fractures) and were successively followed with CT studies., Results: There were 54 patients with 91 fractures included in the study; 66 were A1 fractures, and 25 were non-A1 fractures. All had rigid bracing applied with flat and upright X-ray films performed to rule out instability. None had sustained spinal cord injuries. Thirteen patients (24%) failed closed therapy [e.g. 13 failed fractures (14%) out of 91 total fractures]. Five failed radiographically only (asymptomatic), and eight failed radiographically and clinically (symptomatic). A1 fractures had a 4.5% failure rate, while non-A1 fractures failed at a rate of 40%., Conclusion: Failure of closed therapy for TLVBF in the trauma population is not insignificant. Non-A1 fractures had a much higher failure rate when compared to A1 fractures. We recommend close follow-up particularly of non-A1 fractures treated in closed fashion using successive CT studies., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

We sought to quantitate the effect of extensions of transbasal approaches (TBAs) on midline and paramedian targets of the cranial base. Eight silicone-injected cadaveric heads were dissected with extensions of TBA level I removal of the orbital bar. Objective measures were the comparisons of the accessibility of midline and paramedian targets with progressive dissections by level II detachment of the medial canthal ligaments and removal of the nasal bone and by level III removal of the lateral orbital walls with lateral orbital retraction. Mean areas of freedom increased for most targets with progressive bone removal. For midline targets, the most effective freedom increment was at the pituitary gland (level II: 28.8%, p = 0.05; level III: 107.1%, p < 0.001). For paramedian targets, the best freedom increment was for the foramen rotundum (level II: 56.4%; level III: 134.5%, all p < 0.001). Extensions of the TBA can increase the surgical corridor to midline and paramedian structures, especially for pituitary and maxillary regions. Level II exposure offers no clear benefit for most targets except the foramen rotundum. With level III exposure, all targets are effectively exposed compared with levels I and II.

The rate of symptomatic improvement of visual symptoms associated with hematogenous metastases to the sella and pituitary was evaluated retrospectively in seven patients (five men, two women; mean age, 52.3 years) with primarily visual symptoms (diplopia alone in three, diplopia with blurred vision in one, blurred vision alone in one, loss of peripheral vision in one, and unilateral complete blindness in one). Symptom duration ranged from 0.5 to 2 months. The primary diseases were non-small cell lung cancer in two patients, renal cell carcinoma in two patients, prostate cancer in two patients, and medullary thyroid carcinoma in one patient. All patients had widespread metastatic disease. Three patients had a suprasellar tumoral component. One patient had a clival extension, and one patient had extension into the cavernous sinus. All underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery to correct visual symptoms. Gross total resection was achieved in three patients. Subtotal resections and a partial resection were performed in three patients and one patient, respectively. Surgical blood loss averaged 282 mL. One patient died from sepsis. Five patients developed complications (cerebrospinal fluid leakage in three, diabetes insipidus in two, anterior pituitary dysfunction in two, and colitis in one). At a mean follow-up of 15 months, three patients were alive. Visual symptoms improved in five patients and were unchanged in two. Trans-sphenoidal surgery helped improve visual symptoms in most patients. The morbidity rate was high and likely related to the locally destructive and extensive nature of the lesions in overall morbid patients with widespread metastatic disease. Unless nonoperative measures can provide equal results, however, this approach provides reasonable palliation.

The transbasal approach offers extradural exposure of the anterior midline skull base transcranially. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including trauma, craniofacial deformity, and tumors. This approach has been modified to enhance basal access. This article reviews the principle differences among modifications to the transbasal approach and introduces a new classification scheme. The rationale is to offer a uniform nomenclature to facilitate discussion of these approaches, their indications, and related issues.