We report two patients who presented with a dramatic recovery from severe sensorineural hearing loss after total surgical removal of cerebellopontine angle tumors (meningioma and jugular foramen neurinoma). The factors that differentiate these "non-acoustic tumors" in relation to the prognosis for hearing are discussed. A surgical approach that maintains the labyrinthine structure and preserves the arachnoid membrane of the superior cerebellopontine angle cistern during tumor removal is stressed.
We report two patients who presented with a dramatic recovery from severe sensorineural hearing loss after total surgical removal of cerebellopontine angle tumors (meningioma and jugular foramen neurinoma). The factors that differentiate these “non-acoustic tumors” in relation to the prognosis for hearing are discussed. A surgical approach that maintains the labyrinthine structure and preserves the arachnoid membrane of the superior cerebellopontine angle cistern during tumor removal is stressed.
Background: In advanced head and neck tumors margins are very rarely comprehensively checked by frozen sections. The goal of this study was to analyze a new proposal for harvesting margins using a double-bladed scalpel.Methods:Thirty-eight patients underwent a comprehensive resection of advanced head and neck tumors with a double-bladed scalpel. Margins were mapped and checked by frozen sections, while tumor resection continued. When positive margins were identified, they were excised again, and checked by frozen sections. Results: Thirty-three patients (87%) had clear skin and soft tissue margins at frozen sections. Five patients (13%) had focal skin and soft tissue-positive margins at frozen sections, which were re-excised. Two patients (5%) had skin and soft tissue-positive margins only at permanent sections. One was reoperated and 1 received radiation therapy. The 3-year local control rate was 58%. Conclusions: In this preliminary study, the double-bladed scalpel appeared to be an interesting option for complete intraoperative evaluation of surgical margins of advanced head and neck tumors.
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