Introduction The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA) is routinely used to treat sellar and suprasellar tumors. It provides safe and direct access to tumors in these locations, with wide visualization of anatomical landmarks and great surgical results. With the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the high risk of transmission involved, various surgical procedures cannot be postponed due to their emergency.
Case Report A 62-year-old female presented in the previous two months with headaches, followed by bilateral severe visual loss. In 2016, she was submitted to subtotal resection of a non-secretory macroadenoma. Because of the progressive visual deficits, the EETA was used to the resect the pituitary adenoma.
Technical Note We developed a low-cost adaptation to the surgical fields, covering the patient's head and superior trunk with a regular surgical microscope bag with a tiny slit to enable the endoscope and surgical instruments to enter the nose, thus protecting the personnel in the operating room from the aerosolization of particles. This makes surgery safer for the surgical team and for the patient.
Conclusion In view of the lack of literature on this subject, except for some reports of experiences from some services around the world, we describe the way we have adjusted the EETA in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Introduction:Congenital Dermal Sinuses (CDS) are rare closed dysraphisms that can present throughout the extent of the neuroaxis. They occur due to a failure of the disjunction of the neuroectoderm and cutaneous ectoderm in a focal point during 3-4 week of embryogenic development. The prevalence of CDS of all types has been estimated to be 1 in 2,500 live births, most commonly localized in the lumbar region. More than half of the cases are associated with dermoid or epidermoid tumors. Clinical presentation of CDS usually consists in cutaneous stigmas like dimples, which has the potential to be diagnosed at birth. However, the majority of patients are diagnosed older and after complications such as meningitis, abscess, osteomyelitis, rupture of an associated epi/dermoid cyst. Once suspected the patient should be submitted to an image study with CT scan and/or MRI, and surgical consultation. Complete exeresis is the definitive treatment. Case report: we present 3 cases of CDS, including an extremely rare case of frontonasal location, to illustrate the extent of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. All of the 3 cases presented with complications, requiring surgical treatment and long term antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: Although well reported in the literature, CDS are usually diagnosed after complications. The knowledge of clinical presentation, early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent its life threatening complications.
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