Flow diversion is a feasible and efficacious treatment for non-saccular aneurysms in the posterior circulation. However, the intervention carries a significant risk of periprocedural stroke, and is still associated with high overall mortality. Further studies are needed to identify significant treatment risk factors and optimize patient selection.

OBJECTIVESphenoorbital meningioma (SOM) is a unique skull base tumor, characterized by infiltrative involvement and hyperostosis primarily of the lesser wing of sphenoid bone, with frequent involvement of the orbital compartment. SOM often manifests with proptosis and visual impairment. Surgical technique and outcome are highly variable among studies reported in the literature. The authors present a single-surgeon experience with SOM.METHODSA retrospective review of a prospectively maintained institutional database was performed. A blinded imaging review by 2 study team members was completed to confirm SOM, after which chart review was carried out to capture demographics and outcomes. All statistical testing was completed using JMP Pro version 14.1.0, with significance defined as p < 0.05.RESULTSForty-seven patients who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2017 were included. The median age at surgery was 47 years (range 36–70 years), 81% of patients were female, and the median follow-up was 43 months (range 0–175 months). All operations were performed via a frontotemporal craniotomy, orbitooptic osteotomy, and anterior clinoidectomy, with extensive resection of all involved bone and soft tissue. Preoperatively, proptosis was noted in 44 patients, 98% of whom improved. Twenty-eight patients (60%) had visual deficits before surgery, 21 (75%) of whom improved during follow-up. Visual field defect other than a central scotoma was the only prognostic factor for improvement in vision on multivariate analysis (p = 0.0062). Nine patients (19%) had recurrence or progression during follow-up.CONCLUSIONSSOM is a unique skull base tumor that needs careful planning to optimize outcome. Aggressive removal of involved bone and periorbita is crucial, and proptosis and visual field defect other than a central scotoma can improve after surgery.

BACKGROUND Giant fusiform and dolichoectatic aneurysms of the basilar trunk and vertebrobasilar junction (BTVBJ-GFDA) are extremely difficult to treat. OBJECTIVE To evaluate factors influencing survival and outcome of BTVBJ-GFDA by performing a retrospective multicenter cohort study. METHODS A total of 32 patients with BTVBJ-GFDA were included in this study. Clinicopathological characteristics, treatment measures, and outcomes were collected from medical records and imaging studies. Autopsy and histological findings of the aneurysm and adjacent brain tissue were also obtained in 9 cases. RESULTS A total of 11 patients did not undergo surgery, of whom 10 died; 3 from progressive brainstem compression, 4 from subarachnoid hemorrhage, 2 from brainstem infarction, and 1 from associated atherosclerotic disease. The remaining 21 patients underwent a surgical treatment, consisting of immediately proximal parent artery occlusion, remotely proximal parent artery occlusion, clip reconstruction, and distal bypass and achieved significantly longer overall survival compared with those who received conservative therapy (adjusted hazard ratio 1.508, 95% CI 1.058-2.148, P = .02). Histological examination of the aneurysms demonstrated staged clots, open lumen, and intrathrombotic channels with endothelial lining. The patients younger than 45 yr of age showed statistically longer survival than those equal and older than 45 yr (P = .03). CONCLUSION Surgical intervention achieved greater survival than conservative management in BTVBJ-GFDA. Narrow ideal treatment window of the blood flow within the aneurysm to maintain sufficient but not excess supply should be targeted based on the hemodynamics of both the posterior communicating arteries and perforating vessel collaterals.

Cervical surgical embolectomy for acute extracranial ICA occlusion resulted in a high complete recanalization rate with an acceptable safety profile. A possible association between severe cardiac illness and huge embolus occluding proximal large artery was suggested.

Background The far-lateral approach is an effective skull base technique that provides access to the lower clivus and premedullary area. This approach is also useful for maximal visualization and resection of large posterior fossa tumors with extensive medial extension, especially when aggressive resection is ideal for a malignant tumor in a young patient, or it is technically challenging because of tumor calcification. We demonstrate a microsurgical operative video to describe technical pearls in this difficult situation. Case Presentation A 45-year-old man with history of “hoarseness” for up to two decades was presented with imbalance and mild dysphagia over 3 years. Imaging demonstrated a 55-mm left cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumor extending medially across the midline with severe calcification (Figs. 1 and 2). His neurological examination revealed left facial numbness, complete left facial weakness, left deafness, complete left vocal paralysis, as well as severe left hemibody ataxia. The tumor was resected via a left suboccipital craniotomy with far lateral approach including drilling to the occipital condyle and C1 laminectomy. Initial manipulation of the inferior pole of the tumor resulted in asystole which was managed successfully with glycol pyrolate. Pathology demonstrated IDH-1 wild type, MGMT-methylated glioblastoma. The patient subsequently underwent adjuvant chemoradiation. Conclusion The far-lateral approach is an effective approach for maximal safe resection of a malignant brainstem, cerebellar, and CPA tumor.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/AIGebJPJEnw.