Faculty Bibliography

A 20-year-old male with a prior history of germinoma presented 8 years after the initial diagnosis with progressive lower back pain. The preoperative diagnosis was schwannoma based on the appearances of a tumor in the lumbosacral region on MRI; however, histologically, a germinoma "drop" metastasis was seen. This report emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up in patients with germinoma. In addition, this patient is unusual in that the preoperative assessment favored schwannoma.

OBJECTIVE: On the basis of contemporary multiplanar imaging, microsurgical observations, and long-term follow-up in 60 consecutive patients with sphenoid ridge meningiomas, we propose a modification to Cushing's classification of these tumors. This article will concentrate on patients from this series with global medial sphenoid ridge tumors. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively for 35 patients with global meningiomas arising from the medial portion of the sphenoid ridge that were surgically treated between 1982 and 2002. RESULTS: All patients were followed for the entire length of this study (mean, 12.8 yr). The tumor size ranged from 2 to 8 cm (mean, 4.5 cm). Of the 24 patients with purely intradural tumors, four (17%) had Simpson Grade I and 19 had Simpson Grade II resections; 23 (96%) had gross total resections. Of the 11 patients with tumors extending extradurally (i.e., cavernous sinus), one (9%) patient had a Simpson Grade II resection, whereas nine (82%) had Simpson Grade III resections, with the latter being all visible tumor removed except that in the cavernous sinus. One (9%) of these 11 patients had a gross total resection, and 9 (82%) had radical resections, with the latter defined as total removal of all intradural tumor. The overall morbidity rate was 18%. There was no surgical mortality or symptomatic cerebral infarction. CONCLUSION: An accurate classification of global medial sphenoid meningiomas is mandatory to gain insight into their clinical behavior and for understanding the long-term efficacy and safety of available treatment options. Primary medial sphenoid ridge tumors consistently involve the unilateral arteries of the anterior cerebral circulation, and therefore, the resection of tumor from around these arteries is the most important operative nuance for their safe excision

OBJECTIVE: On the basis of contemporary multiplanar imaging, microsurgical observations, and long-term follow-up in 60 consecutive patients with sphenoid ridge meningiomas, we propose a modification to Cushing's classification of these tumors. This article will concentrate on patients from this series with global medial sphenoid ridge tumors. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively for 35 patients with global meningiomas arising from the medial portion of the sphenoid ridge that were surgically treated between 1982 and 2002. RESULTS: All patients were followed for the entire length of this study (mean, 12.8 yr). The tumor size ranged from 2 to 8 cm (mean, 4.5 cm). Of the 24 patients with purely intradural tumors, four (17%) had Simpson Grade I and 19 had Simpson Grade II resections; 23 (96%) had gross total resections. Of the 11 patients with tumors extending extradurally (i.e., cavernous sinus), one (9%) patient had a Simpson Grade II resection, whereas nine (82%) had Simpson Grade III resections, with the latter being all visible tumor removed except that in the cavernous sinus. One (9%) of these 11 patients had a gross total resection, and 9 (82%) had radical resections, with the latter defined as total removal of all intradural tumor. The overall morbidity rate was 18%. There was no surgical mortality or symptomatic cerebral infarction. CONCLUSION: An accurate classification of global medial sphenoid meningiomas is mandatory to gain insight into their clinical behavior and for understanding the long-term efficacy and safety of available treatment options. Primary medial sphenoid ridge tumors consistently involve the unilateral arteries of the anterior cerebral circulation, and therefore, the resection of tumor from around these arteries is the most important operative nuance for their safe excision

In a recent article, our experience and knowledge of the clinical picture, microsurgical anatomy, and long-term surgical outcome of resecting tuberculum sellae meningiomas was described in detail. We now present our surgical technique in a pictorial and video format for the benefit of neurosurgeons in training, as well as for general critique. Attention is given to the details of surgery: patient positioning, surgical approaches, technique of tumor removal, and postoperative care

THE ANTERIOR SURGICAL APPROACH to the cervical spine in patients with discogenic compressive pathological findings causing radiculopathy or myelopathy is a commonly performed operation with several technical variations. We describe the normal and pathological anatomy and the techniques of surgical decompression of the dura with autograft fusion, which we have used for the past 35 years

A POSTERIOR FORAMINOTOMY (hemilaminotomy and medial facetectomy) is indicated for the treatment of nerve root compression secondary to posterolateral disc herniation or spondylotic foraminal stenosis. We describe the normal and pathological anatomy of the cervical neural foramen as well as our surgical technique, which has been highly effective in cases of cervical discogenic radiculopathy

OBJECTIVE: Despite Cushing's accurate description of the anatomic origin of tuberculum sellae meningiomas, many subsequent authors have included tumors originating from the neighboring sella region in this classification. This has led to difficulty in evaluating the surgical results and consensus for an optimal surgical technique. We think this confusion has arisen from Cushing's description of these tumors under the heading 'suprasellar meningiomas,' which referred to their distinctive clinical symptoms and not their anatomic origin. We describe the microsurgical anatomy and tumor growth patterns to reemphasize the original classification of Cushing's tuberculum sellae meningiomas. Additionally, we describe our surgical approach, which decreases the risk of injury to anterior visual pathways and anterior cerebral circulation arteries. METHODS: During a 19-year period, 23 patients with meningiomas arising from the tuberculum and diaphragma sellae underwent craniotomies at New York University Medical Center. The tumor size ranged from 2 to 5 cm. All patients presented with symptoms of visual dysfunction; 15 were asymmetrical. Magnetic resonance imaging with and without gadolinium differentiated these tumors from other suprasellar tumors with a high degree of accuracy. All patients underwent a pterional transsylvian approach. RESULTS: Twenty patients had total tumor removal, and three had subtotal tumor removal. There was one regrowth in the subtotal tumor removal group. Patients were observed for a mean follow-up time of 9.3 years (range, 3.6-18.5 yr). Visual acuity improved in 55%, was unchanged in 26%, and worsened in 19% of patients. Two of the oldest patients died from pulmonary complications, resulting in a mortality rate of 8.7%. CONCLUSION: We think that tuberculum and diaphragma sellae meningiomas are anatomically indistinguishable and should be termed tuberculum sellae meningioma. A pterional craniotomy with microsurgical dissection of the sylvian fissure allows access to these tumors with minimal neurological and ophthalmological morbidity

Following a car accident a 28-year-old female, complained of a sharp pain of the anterior and posterior base of the neck on expiration and with exertion. Subsequently, she noticed a feeling of discomfort in her back when lifting her arm above her head. Imaging studies revealed a tumor mass involving the third intercostal nerve on the right side of T2. The differential diagnosis included neurofibroma and neurilemmoma. This was followed annually and five years later an increase in size warranted a transthoracic, transpleural removal en bloc of this lesion. At surgery, a 3 cm soft tissue tumor engulfed the third intercostal nerve and extended into the third intervertebral foramen where the proximal part of the nerve root was enlarged. The right third intercostal nerve was dissected and removed along with the tumor, after negative nerve stimulation. Histopathological examination showed multiple enlarged coalescent lymphoid follicles with an onion skin appearance of tight concentric layering of small, uniform mature lymphocytes at the periphery, arranged in a targetoid fashion with broad mantle zones and relatively small germinal centers. The germinal centers of variable size included hyalinized blood vessels. Lollipop follicles were seen. The interfollicular stroma showed numerous hyperplastic collagenized capillaries within an inflammatory background. However, the perinodal soft tissue was replaced by numerous inflammatory cells, primarily lymphocytes. The final diagnosis was Castleman's disease, hyaline vascular type. Castleman's disease can mimic various tumors and because Castleman's disease is a rare reactive entity, its diagnosis is generally overlooked by radiologists and clinicians. It is likely that this mass arose from one of the posterior intercostal lymph nodes, situated in the paravertebral region, however the capsule was not readily seen and the sinuses were not apparent. Almost all previous cases of Castleman's disease, hyaline vascular type were described in the anterior mediastinum. Hyaline vascular Castleman's disease usually does not invade and replace neighboring structures. This case is unique because of its location and the local invasion of adjacent structures

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Intracerebral schwannomas not associated with cranial nerves account for less than 1% of surgically treated schwannomas of the central and peripheral nervous system. Subfrontal schwannomas are extremely rare, with only 15 cases reported to date. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old man presented with a 4-month history of progressive headaches and lethargy. Radiographic studies revealed a large subfrontal tumor thought to be a meningioma preoperatively. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent a craniotomy for resection of his tumor. Intraoperatively, a large extra-axial tumor arising from the floor of the left frontal fossa was encountered. CONCLUSION: Microscopic examination of the tumor revealed a schwannoma. Several theories on the possible origin of intracerebral schwannomas have been considered. Because of the age of the patient at presentation, many authors have postulated a developmental origin for these lesions. However, extra-axial schwannomas not associated with cranial nerves often present later in life, suggesting a different pathogenesis for this subgroup

The patient presenting with a spinal meningioma usually has a slow indolent course of symptoms but at the time of diagnosis will have a range of neurological deficits. The diagnosis is most commonly secured with MR imaging. Safe resection of spinal meningiomas mandates a clear understanding of their growth characteristics as well as of regional anatomy. Surgical treatment of spinal meningiomas is gratifying, and the severity of preoperative neurological deficits should never deter one from withholding therapy