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BackgroundThe choice of endoscopic expanded endonasal approach introduces the possibility of improved gross total resection of craniopharyngioma while minimizing surgical morbidity in a significant subset of patients.MethodsFrom our trans-sphenoidal surgical series of 331 cases, we retrospectively reviewed visual, endocrine and neuro-cognitive outcomes in the first consecutive eight patients (median age 63 years; range 47–73 years) with newly diagnosed supradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma (median tumour height 23 mm; range 15–34 mm), removed by expanded endonasal approach (median follow-up 27 months; range 10–69 months). Gross total resection was attempted in all patients.ResultsGross total resection was achieved in 6 of 8 patients. Visual improvement was present in 6 of 8 patients of patients or in 14 of 16 eyes. New endocrinopathy, including diabetes insipidus, appeared in 5 of 8 patients. Stalk was preserved in 4 patients. Cognitive decline was present in 2 cases. Five of 8 patients retained previous quality of life.ConclusionsOur early outcome results are comparable to the recent few expanded endonasal approach series, except for the incidence of new endocrinopathy and cerebrospinal fluid leak rate. This was influenced by higher number of transinfundibular tumours in our series, where stalk preservation is less likely, and not using nasoseptal flap or gasket closure in the first half of cases. Including data from the literature and ours, expanded endonasal approach shows a trend for improved gross total resection rate with less morbidity, more obviously for visual outcome and quality of life than for endocrine outcome. However, validity of expanded endonasal approach should be confirmed in a larger number of patients with a longer follow-up period.

BackgroundThe number of patients with malignant brain tumours is on the rise, but due to the novel treatment methods the survival rates are higher. Despite increased survival the consequences of tumour properties and treatment can have a significant negative effect on the patients’ quality of life. Providing timely and appropriate rehabilitation interventions is an important aspect of patient treatment and should be started immediately after surgery. The most important goal of rehabilitation is to prevent complications that could have a negative effect on the patients’ ability to function.ConclusionsBy using individually tailored early rehabilitation it is often possible to achieve the patients’ independence in mobility as well as in performing daily tasks before leaving the hospital. A more precise evaluation of the patients’ functional state after completing additional oncologic therapy should be performed to stratify the patients who should be directed to complex rehabilitation treatment. The chances of a good functional outcome in patients with malignant brain tumours could be increased with good early medical rehabilitation treatment.

Facial blood flow and temperature were significantly higher on the right side of the forehead compared to the left. This asymmetry implies that the hemispheric autonomic control of the face differs and could influence the expression of emotion.

Intraoperative visual system monitoring of lesions with a close relationship to the optic apparatus by using light flashes reportedly is difficult to perform, and the results are too unreliable to interpret. The authors used direct epidural electrical stimulation of the optic nerve (ON) during surgery instead of light flashes. Four patients were included in this feasibility study. In 3 patients-1 each harboring a planum sphenoidale meningioma, a tuberculum sellae meningioma, and an intraorbital ON sheath meningioma-2 stimulating needle electrodes were placed on each side of the ON just anterior to the optic canal, before unroofing the optic canal and an extradural anterior clinoidectomy. In the fourth patient, who harbored a frontotemporal astrocytoma, stimulation was applied at the exit of the ON from the canal. The electrically induced visual evoked potentials (eVEPs) were recorded from the scalp before, during, and after tumor removal. A typical eVEP consisted of N20 and N40 waves. The amplitude of the N40 wave varied up to 25% prior to tumor removal. In the patient with a symptomatic tuberculum sellae meningioma, the decompressive effect of opening the optic canal and the impact of manipulation during piecemeal tumor removal were detected by the eVEPs. In the patient with an ON sheath meningioma and light sensation, only the N20 wave was observed. Epidural electrical stimulation of the ON is a safe means of providing a stable signal and real-time information on nerve conduction during surgery. It may be a useful adjunct in improving visual outcomes postoperatively. Further clinical studies are necessary.

The aim was to present cortical potentials after intraoperative electrical epidural stimulation of the optic nerve (ON) in individuals with normal preoperative vision. Optic nerve potentials after flash and electrical stimulation were additionally recorded. Contact electrodes on ON and occiput were used for monopolar recording of optic nerve potentials and cortical potentials, respectively. Epidural stimulating electrodes on ON were used to deliver a rectangular current pulse (intensity 0.2-5.0 mA; duration 0.1-0.3 ms; rate 2 Hz), and LED flash goggles were used for flash stimulation. Optic nerve potentials after flash stimulation predominantly consisted of a positive deflection with a latency around 40 ms, followed by a longer-lasting negativity with the peak at around 50 ms. Optic nerve potentials after electrical epidural stimulation of ON were comprised of a negative deflection at around 3 ms. A positive and a negative deflection at 20 and 30 ms, respectively, and a smaller positive deflection at 40 ms constituted cortical potentials after electrical epidural stimulation of ON. Stable and repeatable cortical potentials after electrical epidural stimulation of ON could safely be recorded in humans during neurosurgery. The origin of these presumably far-field potentials and their potential role in intraoperative monitoring remains to be established.

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P20 and N30 amplitude changes seem to reliably correspond with the manipulation of ON during anterior skull base tumor removal. Reversible reduction of P20 and N30 amplitude was associated with unchanged immediate postoperative visual function. No correlation between intraoperative variation of CP and newly acquired postoperative visual deficit can presently be made.