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PurposeTo propose a surgical staging system with management protocol for post-covid Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) with central skull base osteomyelitis.MethodsA prospective cohort study of post-covid ROCM patients between May 2021 and January 2022. Patients were assessed radiologically and staged from I to V. Follow up period was 6 to 18 months and the surgical outcome was assessed.ResultsTotal of 193 patients (129 primary and 64 revision). Maxilla was found to be the epicenter of anterior disease (69.3%) and pterygoid wedge, the epicenter of posterior disease (85.6%). More than 65% of our patients, at the time of presentation, presented with ROCM with involvement of the central skull base. Intracranial disease was noted in 13.9% of patients and the mortality rate was 6.2 %.ConclusionThis staging system provides a systematic step-by-step protocol for the management of ROCM, with emphasis on meticulous disease clearance at the central skull base.

To describe and standardize an easily available, viable, low-cost capsicum and Tomato model for endoscopic sinus and Skull Base surgery training. Rhinology fellows performed the following stimulated endoscopic sinus exercises using the capsicum and tomato models at our centre using a Karl Storz angled Endoscope and Medtronic Debrider with various angled blades. Each student dissected 10 specimens before training these procedures on human patients, and the benefit of the capsicum and tomato models training was evaluated. 10 rhinology fellows of comparable academic level participated in the training. All participants agreed that the capsicum and tomato model dissections improved their skills in using powered instruments and endoscopic instruments, 90% agreed that the dissections improved their hand–eye coordination, precision, the manoeuvrability of angled blades and confidence with respect to their further training in human patients. A novel technique of low-cost model using Capsicum and Tomato has been used for training fellows in endoscopic sinus and Skull Base surgery. However, no standardization of this training has been performed to ensure that it is a valuable tool for learning and skill-building. The standardized method described in this study increased the skills and confidence of the fellows before beginning their training on human patients. Moreover, our results demonstrate the feasibility of the model, considering its cost-effectiveness and easy availability. A novel technique of low-cost simulation exercises using capsicum and tomato have been described. Future studies with this model should be conducted to assess whether the resulting increase in skills prevents and reduces medical errors, increases patient safety, reduces training costs, and improves the quality of otolaryngological care.

Importance Injury to the internal carotid artery (ICA) during endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery does not typically occur as an isolated circumstance but often is the result of multiple factors. Objective To assess the factors associated with ICA injury in an effort to reduce its occurrence. Design, Setting, and Participants This quality improvement study used a multicenter root cause analysis of ICA injuries sustained during endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery performed at 11 tertiary care centers across 4 continents (North America, South America, Europe, and Asia) from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2018. A fishbone model was built to facilitate the root cause analysis. Patients who underwent an expanded endoscopic endonasal approach that carried a substantial potential risk of an ICA injury were included in the analysis. A questionnaire was completed by surgeons at the centers to assess relevant human, patient, process, technique, instrument, and environmental factors associated with the injury. Main Outcomes and Measures Root cause analysis of demographic, human, patient, process, technique, instrument, and environmental factors as well as mortality and morbidity data. Results Twenty-eight cases of ICA injury occurred during 7160 expanded endoscopic endonasal approach procedures (incidence of 0.4%). The mean age of the patients was 49 years, with a female to male predominance ratio of 1.8:1 (18 women to 10 men). Anatomical (23 [82%]), pathological (15 [54%]), and surgical resection (26 [93%]) factors were most frequently reported. The surgeon’s mental or physical well-being was reported as inadequate in 4 cases (14%). Suboptimal imaging was reported in 6 cases (21%). The surgeon’s experience level was not associated with ICA injury. The ICA injury was associated with use of powered or sharp instruments in 20 cases (71%), and use of new instruments or technology in 7 cases (25%). Two patients (7%) died in the operating room, and 3 (11%) were alive with neurological deficits. Overall, patient-related factors were the most frequently reported risk factors (in 27 of 28 cases [96%]). Factors associated with ICA injury catalyzed a list of preventive recommendations. Conclusions and Relevance This study found that human factors were associated with intraoperative ICA injuries; however, they were usually accompanied by other deficiencies. These findings suggest that identifying risk factors is crucial for preventing such injuries. Preoperative planning and minimizing the potential for ICA injury also appear to be essential.

In this manuscript, we report a rapid intra-operative detection test for visualisation of mucor, with the use of the Smartphone-based intraocular lens microscope (IOLSCOPE). IOLSCOPE helps not only in detecting tissue affected by mucor, but also makes sure that the surgeon does not leave any fungus behind; similar to the principles employed by a 'Frozen section' in conventional general surgery. In the technique proposed by us, we have used an undigested tissue sample, to quickly diagnose mucor, intra-operatively. Thus, in view of tackling the COVID-19 and mucor duplet, IOLSCOPE can be considered by ophthalmologists and otorhinolaryngologists for its rapid screening property, convenience of ease, good quality images and cost effectiveness.

Endoscopic endonasal transorbital approach has been described for the removal of orbital lesions located anteromedially in temporal fossa. The same has been observed to be a versatile approach to the anterior and middle cranial fossa only in laboratory studies. This is the first clinical report of combined transorbital transnasal endoscopic approach to the cavernous sinus, superior orbital fissure, and middle cranial fossa in a case of recurrent nasopharyngeal angiofibroma using the three-surgeon six-handed technique.

Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging and prognosis of JNA. Certain radiological changes as seen on CECT were observed to be consistent in our case series. This study analysed preoperative and postoperative CECT of large series of JNA patients to evaluate the sites and pattern of spread of tumor. We evaluated the clinical significance of pterygoid wedge in preoperative and postoperative imaging and thus elucidating two new radiological signs. Retrospective analysis of the pre operative and post operative imaging data of 242 patients with JNA. The findings in the scan were clinically correlated with the endoscopic intraoperative findings. Preoperative evaluation of the pterygoid wedge revealed widening on the involved side in 99.1% of our cases which is 1.8 times greater compared to the uninvolved side. The possibility of residual/recurrent tumor was found to be significantly higher in those where the pterygoid wedge was not removed by drilling (p

To approach Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma extending to the sphenoid sinus, pterygoid wedge and minimal involvement of the pterygopalatine fossa (Radkowski Stage 2 A) with an endoscopic technique without embolization with no recurrence and minimal morbidity and mortality. This is a retrospective, descriptive study based on the medical records of 15 patients with histologically confirmed JNA who underwent endoscopic binostril four handed endoscopic excision in our centre without embolisation between 2010 and 2015. All 15 patients were young males with a mean age of 14.13 years who underwent endoscopic excision of JNA without embolisation. Nasal obstruction (100 %) and epistaxis (100 %) were the most common symptoms. Average surgery length was 1 h 41 min. Mean blood loss was 67.2 ml and none of patients required blood transfusion. All patients had crusting and septal defect postoperatively, only 3 (20 %) had synechiae. Mean hospitalization time was 3.66 days. 2 (13.33 %) of our patients had a residual tumor and one (6.66 %) had a relapse in pterygoid wedge. There were no cases of death or significant morbidity. The follow up period was 1 year. Endoscopic endo nasal bi nostril four handed technique can achieve complete resection without embolization in case of small to medium sized JNA s in the hands of an experienced surgeon with minimal blood loss, low rates of recurrence and morbidity.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea occurs due to communication between the intracranial subarachnoid space and the sinonasal mucosa. It could be due to trauma, raised intracranial pressure (ICP), tumors, erosive diseases, and congenital skull defects. Some leaks could be spontaneous without any specific etiology. The potential leak sites include the cribriform plate, ethmoid, sphenoid, and frontal sinus. Glucose estimation, although non-specific, is the most popular and readily available method of diagnosis. Glucose concentration of > 30 mg/dl without any blood contamination strongly suggests presence and the absence of glucose rules out CSF in the fluid. Beta-2 transferrin test confirms the diagnosis. High-resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance cisternography are complementary to each other and are the investigation of choice. Surgical intervention is indicated, when conservative management fails to prevent risk of meningitis. Endoscopic closure has revolutionized the management of CSF rhinorrhea due to its less morbidity and better closure rate. It is usually best suited for small defects in cribriform plate, sphenoid, and ethmoid sinus. Large defects can be repaired when sufficient experience is acquired. Most frontal sinus leaks, although difficult, can be successfully closed by modified Lothrop procedure. Factors associated with increased recurrences are middle age, obese female, raised ICP, diabetes mellitus, lateral sphenoid leaks, superior and lateral extension in frontal sinus, multiple leaks, and extensive skull base defects. Appropriate treatment for raised ICP, in addition to proper repair, should be done to prevent recurrence. Long follow-up is required before leveling successful repair as recurrences may occur very late.

Carotid Body Paraganglioma (CBPGL), is a type of neuroendocrine tumor that should be managed promptly due to their malignant potential and locally aggressive nature making resection at a later stage difficult. The objective of this case report is to explore the benefit of coil embolization and describe the surgical techniques employed in successful resection of a huge CBPGL.

Endoscopic endonasal approaches are becoming increasingly popular over transcranial approaches for repair of cerebrospinal leak defects. Sphenoid sinus CSF leaks pose a significant challenge and carry the risk of life-threatening intracranial complications. Their management depends upon identifying the leak using imaging techniques followed by intraoperative endoscopic localization. Our experience in the endoscopic endonasal management of sphenoid sinus CSF leaks is reported in this paper.

The extracranial occurrence of meningioma, which is a tumour of the central nervous system, is rare. Two cases of primary extracranial meningioma of the psammomatous variant are reported here. Both cases were managed successfully by endoscopic endonasal approach. Literature has been reviewed and their clinicopathological features are described.

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a locally aggressive benign tumour which has propensity to erode the skull base. The tumour spreads along the pathways of least resistance and is in close proximity to the extracranial part of trigeminal nerve. Advancements in expanded approaches for endoscopic excision of tumours in infratemporal fossa and pterygopalatine fossa increase the vulnerability for the trigeminocardiac reflex. The manipulation of nerve and its branches during tumour dissection can lead to sensory stimulation and thus inciting the reflex. The aim of our study is to report the occurrence of trigeminocardiac reflex in endoscopic excision of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. To describe the occurence of trigeminocardiac reflex during endoscopic endonasal excision of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. We studied the occurrence of TCR in 15 patients (out of 242 primary cases and 52 revision cases) operated for endoscopic endonasal excision of JNA. The drop in mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were observed and measured. To the best of our knowledge of English literature, this is the first case series reporting TCR as complication in endoscopic excision of JNA. occurence of this reflex has been mentioned in various occular, maxillofacial surgeries but its occurence during endoscopic excision of JNA has never been reported before. Manifestation of trigeminocardiac reflex during surgery can alter the course of the surgery and is a potential threat to life. It is essential for the anesthetist and surgeons to be familiar with the presentations, preventive measures and management protocols.

The role of preoperative embolization in alleviating intra operative haemorrhage in small to medium sized JNA is dubious. We report an unusual case of JNA who developed cerebral edema, hemiplegia and aphasia following glue embolisation and underwent frontotemporal craniectomy. This drastic aftermath of embolisation challenges the safety of preoperative embolisation in such lesions.