Transnasal endoscopic surgery in selected nasal-ethmoidal cancer with suspected brain invasion: Indications, technique, and outcomes

Head Neck. 2019 Jun;41(6):1854-1862. doi: 10.1002/hed.25621. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

Abstract

Background: In nasal-ethmoidal malignancies, brain involvement is associated with dismal prognosis.

Method: Patients undergoing endoscopic resection with transnasal craniectomy and subpial dissection (ERTC-SD) for brain-invading nasal-ethmoidal cancer between 2008 and 2016 were included. Complications were analyzed in all patients, whereas oncological outcomes only in patients with pathological brain invasion. The prognostic impact of previous treatments, brain edema, and histology was assessed. Hospitalization ratio was calculated.

Results: Nineteen patients received ERTC-SD and 11 had pathological-proven brain invasion. Histologies were 6 olfactory neuroblastomas (ONB), 3 neuroendocrine carcinomas, and 2 intestinal-type adenocarcinomas. Mean follow-up was 21.9 months. Three-year overall, local recurrence-free, and distance recurrence-free survivals were 65.5%, 81.8%, and 68.2%, respectively. Overall and distant recurrence-free survivals were significantly better in patients with ONB (P = 0.032 and P = 0.013, respectively). Hospitalization ratio was 4.1%. Complication rate was 10.5%.

Conclusion: In selected nasal-ethmoidal tumors with brain invasion, ERTC-SD can provide good local control, satisfactory survival, and limited morbidity.

Keywords: brain; endoscopy; ethmoid sinus; nasal cavity; neoplasms.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / surgery*
  • Craniotomy
  • Ethmoid Sinus*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasal Cavity
  • Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Neuroblastoma / surgery*
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Patient Selection
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome