Endoscopic versus Microscopic Transsphenoidal Hypophysectomy: Comparison of the Endocrine Outcome – An Institutional Experience

BACKGROUND: The transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic approach to the sella turcica is an overwhelming alternative to the microscopic approach for the past few decades assuming into prominence as a new technique, reaching nearly gold standard for this pathology. The endoscopic approach to the pituitary has redefined accurate visualization of the sella. The panoramic view afforded by the endoscope is unparalleled as compared with the traditional conical view of the microscope. AIMS: This study aims to compare both endoscopic and microscopic technologies, including advantages and disadvantages through the results of endocrine outcome. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Our retrospective/prospective study included 46 microscopically and 39 endoscopically treated patients during the period of 2010–2018. Tumors were classified according to the diameter and clinical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Our retrospective/prospective study included 46 microscopically and 39 endoscopically treated patients during the period of 2010–2018. Tumors were classified according to the diameter, hormone activity and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Comparison results revealed more efficacious and effective endocrine control and reestablishing the endocrine homeostasis utilizing the endoscopic technique, especially in secretory active macroadenomas. Further, the extension of the resection, which was better in endoscopic approach undouptedly contributed to better endocrine control of the disease. Complication rate, including endocrine, was lower following endoscopy compared with microsurgery. CONCLUSION: This technique evidenced to have a statistically significant reduction in operative time and length of hospital stay, as well as more radical safe resection and complication control. There is also a trend toward improved endocrine outcomes and rate of return of visual defects. These two approaches are still comparable with eloquent advantages and disadvantages, formulated as balanced dialectics. In addition, the use of endoscopes, including multilocular polifilament 3D endoscope, facilitates extended approaches, reaching a delicate skull base lesions that are suprasellar, retrosellar, and parasellar, which permits visualization beyond the abilities of the microscope

Surgical Treatment of Meningiomas - Outcome Associated With Type of Resection, Recurrence, Karnofsky Performance Score, Mitotic Count

BACKGROUND: Meningiomas are the type of central nervous system tumours, derived from the cells of the arachnoid membrane that are well constrained from surrounding tissues, mainly no infiltrating neoplasm with benign features. Meningiomas consist about 15-20% of all primary intracranial neoplasms. AIM: The evaluation of the outcome of the operatively treated meningiomas in relation with the Karnofsky performance score, survival, recurrence, type of the surgical excision, histological type, mitotic count (MC), localisation and volume of the lesion METHODS: In this article 40 operatively treated patients are reviewed for the outcome of the operation about the Karnofsky performance score, survival, recurrence, type of the surgical excision, histological type, mitotic count (MC), localisation and volume of the lesion. RESULTS: Association/interconnection between the mitotic count grade I and the regrowth of meningioma have been verified. Association/interconnection between the mitotic count grade I and the regrowth of meningioma have been verified. Association/interconnection between the mitotic count grade I and the regrowth of meningioma have been established. CONCLUSION: Gender, age and Karnofsky performance score have predictive value in the treatment of different types of meningiomas. The magnitude of surgical resection is associated with the regrowth of a tumour. The mitotic count in different types of meningiomas presents significant feature in the appearance of meningioma recurrence. The surgical resection and the quality and quantity of patient’s survival have a significant relation to the mitotic count of the meningiomas. There is no connection between the size and the localisation of a tumour related to different values of the mitotic count

Therapeutic hypothermia and ischemic stroke

Currently, there are two main treatment strategies in treatment of ischemic stroke such as thrombolysis and neuroprotectiv therapy Only approved and effective therapy for ischemic stroke is thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) which has certain limitations: short time window , haemorrhagic complications and complications associated with reperfusion. Therefore , less then 10% of all, patients with ischemic stroke can be treated with rt-PA. Neuroprotection after acute ischemic stroke entertain , reduces and stops harmful biochemical and molecular processes. Neuroprotectiv strategies focus on reduction of damage in penumbra , thereby improving outcome after ischemic stroke.Based on experimental data and clinical studies , therapeutic hypothermia is regarded as one of the most active ways of neuropritection. Therapeutic hypothermia is medical treatment that reduces the patient s body temperature in order to help to reduce the risk of ischemic tissue injury that occurs after a certain period of reduced blood flow. Clinical and experimental studies in acute stroke shows that there is an association between body temperature , severity of stroke , infarct volume and clinical outcome. Elevated body temperature is associated with adverse effects on injured brain tissue and with worse clinical outcome