Abstract

Background: Occipital transtentorial approach for selected posterior third ventricular or retrosplenium region tumors provides an ergonomic and safe access. Over centuries, the opponents of this approach highlight the problem of postoperative visual field defect, related to the retraction of occipital lobe. The aim was to describe the surgical nuances of gravity-assisted retractor-less occipital-transtentorial approach (GAROTA) as a modification of originally described GAROTA to minimize the complications with a similar ease of surgery.

Methods: In this study, we have retrospectively analyzed our prospectively maintained surgical databases of patients operated by occipito-transtentorial from 2015 to 2019. Demographic variables, preoperative and postoperative neurological deficits (especially visual field defect) were analyzed. Radiological data included relation of veins with tumor, presence of hydrocephalus, size, and extent of lesion.

Results: Fifteen patients underwent GAROTA (right-sided extension, n = 7; left-sided extension, n = 4; and midline lesions, n = 4). Headaches (73.3%) and diplopia (40%) were the most common symptoms. No patient had any postoperative visual deficits in both short-term and long-term follow-up.

Conclusion: A thorough anatomical knowledge of posterior third interhemispheric region in the semi-prone position is required for GAROTA. Meticulous arachnoid dissection around the deep venous complex and release of cerebrospinal fluid through the cisterns is required. Postoperative cortical vision loss may be prevented by following the key surgical principles in GAROTA.

Keywords: Field defect, Interhemispheric, Retraction less, Transtentorial

INTRODUCTION

The posterior third ventricular region possesses a perilous challenge due to the presence of enormous deep venous channels and remote access. These tumors occupy a central position that is equidistant from various traditional cranial points. The deep central location is further complicated by the intimate contact with important deep venous system including the vein of Galen, the precentral cerebellar vein, basal vein of Rosenthal (BVR), and the internal cerebral veins (ICVs).[ 16 ] An illustrative photograph of posterior third ventricular region from posterior interhemispheric corridor shows complex venous anatomy that resembles tentacles of octopus (cephalopod) [ Figure 1 ]. Apart from this complex venous anatomy, a familiarity or ease in performing endoscopic third ventriculostomy, and biopsy of radiosensitive or chemosensitive posterior third ventricular tumors, the art of microneurosurgery is pushed to the back seat. However, the definitive tumor excision is not only curable but also reestablishes the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathway; especially in the pathologies such as meningioma, WHO Grade 1 or 2 ependymoma, and low-grade astrocytoma. In addition, an adequate cytoreduction ensures a better response to adjuvant therapy. These tumors comprise approximately 20–30% of all posterior third ventricle region tumors. Conventionally, these tumors are approached either through the supracerebellar infratentorial (SCIT) corridor or occipito-transtentorial (OTT) corridors. We prefer OTT over SCIT even in cases with equivocal indications, as for as the surgical route is concern. The original OTT technique, described initially by Poppen in 1966, was further modified in 1971 (by Jamieson et al.) by altering the position of the patient and tailoring craniotomy so as to expose the transverse and sagittal sinus.[ 6 , 12 ] Subsequently, various authors have come-up with keyhole microscopic or endoscopic OTT and SCIT both. With the gradual learning and practice over the past 2–3 decades’ certain modification in neck positioning, understanding and utilization of various venous corridors in retraction-less OTT approaches are proposed in this present study.

Figure 1:

Diagrammatic representation of the posterior third ventricular region showing complex venous anatomy that resembles tentacles of octopus (cephalopod).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study design

We performed a retrospective analysis of our prospectively maintained surgical databases, from our hospital discharge codes, for all the patients, who underwent surgery for posterior third ventricular region tumor at our institution between 2015 and 2019. Institutional ethical board approval was obtained to review the medical records and neuroimaging studies of these patients. Patient consent is obtained at the time of surgery for the use of imaging as per our departmental protocol. Clinical variables included age and gender at admission, clinical presentation, and any other coexisting medical conditions. We analyzed the pre- and postoperative neurological status from hospital records. Radiological data included relation of veins with tumor, presence of hydrocephalus, size of lesion, and lateral extent of lesion [ Figure 2 ].

Figure 2:

Representative magnetic resonance imaging axial and sagittal views of few patients of posterior third ventricular region tumors included in our series.

Inclusion criteria

Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 69 patients with pineal region/posterior third ventricular tumors were included in the study, of which 57 cases underwent endoscopic transventricular biopsy with or without stereotactic/neuronavigation guidance while 12 cases underwent OTT. Among the 57 patients, where biopsy was performed, 12 patients were offered surgical excision (OTT) and remaining 45 patients were referred to radiotherapy department. Six patients were referred back from radiotherapy department either after recurrence or nonresponsiveness. Therefore, 30 patients underwent surgical excision in this period. Out of these 30 patients, 15 patients were operated by the gravity-assisted retraction-less OTT (GAROT). The pre- and postoperative visual assessment was done by the neuro-ophthalmologist.

Surgical technique

The patient was positioned in the lateral position with the side of pathology facing the floor. The body and head were further rotated 30–45 degrees (chest tilted toward the floor) [ Figure 3a ]. The neck position was customized according to the pathology in a manner that 15-degree extension if the trajectory of choice (TOC) was posterior toward mid brain or 15-flexion if TOC was anterior toward the subsplenial region. A “J”-shaped skin flap was raised just starting below the external occipital protuberance and extending 1 cm below vertex, in a manner that vertical limb of “J” cross the midline. Burr holes were made at the superior-lateral corner of skin flap, just off midline across the sinus and over the external occipital protuberance. Craniotomy was done flushed with superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and transverse sinus (TS) using handheld high-speed electric craniotome. The dura was opened in an “X shaped” and margins were hinged toward the SSS and the TS side [ Figure 3b and c ]. The medial surface of the occipital lobe was seen and the occipital interhemispheric corridor was used [ Figure 4 ]. Herein, we want to emphasize the importance of patient positioning in such a manner so as to avoid any requirement of retractors for the accessibility of interhemispheric corridor. In few cases (n = 11), wherein brain bulge was present, external ventricular drainage was also needed through the double Dandy’s point. An ultrasound-guided ventricular tap is preferred as the ventricular anatomy is distorted due to the described positioning.

Figure 3:

(a) The patient was positioned in the lateral position with the side of pathology facing the floor. The body and head were further rotated 30–45 degrees; (b) “J”-shaped skin flap was raised just starting below the external occipital protuberance and extending 1 cm below vertex; (c) dura was cut in cruciate manner and hinged toward sagittal sinus and transverse sinus side.

Figure 4:

Intraoperative photographs showing posterior interhemispheric corridor on the right side with straight sinus and transverse sinus with and adequate exposure up to free edge of tentorium. Picture-in-picture photo shows straight sinus and transverse sinus. Black arrow shows free edge of tentorium over the ambient cistern and the white arrow shows coagulated tentorium surface.

Within the posterior interhemispheric corridor, the following veins are encountered (a) bridging veins from occipital lobe to SSS and (b) internal occipital vein (IOV) draining into VOG. Both the above veins were preserved as the retraction induced injury was avoided in all the cases.[ 2 ]

The incision on tentorium is calculative and it should be cut only after confirming position of the straight sinus and TS [ Figure 5a ]. The initial point of cutting was at free edge of Tent, which progressed 2 cm lateral away from straight sinus [ Video 1 ]. It is important to note that, in cadaveric studies, tentorial incision actually opens-up the lateral portion of ambient and quadrigeminal cisterns.[ 8 ] For the tumors epicentered at the posterior commissure or pineal recess, we preferred interhemispheric corridor along with incision over tentorium, to access the posterior splenium, subsplenial, and lateral spaces (ambient and quadrigeminal cistern) [ Figure 5b - d ]. This combined approach offers several advantage as the initial CSF drainage can be done from the cisterns and the arachnoidal lengthening of BVR eases the further surgery.

Video 1:

Figure 5:

Intraoperative photographs showing steps, technique, and trajectory for cutting the tentorium using up-turned tip of needle and knife. The coagulated tentorium surface is lifted up (a and b) and cut (c). Ambient cistern is opened and venous corridors are defined after arachnoidal dissection (d). BVR: Basal vein of Rosenthal, OV: Occipital vein, SV: Splenial vein.

Ongoing deep, the dense arachnoid of quadrigeminal cistern is seen draping the confluence of venous channels. The veins are encountered posterior to the splenium of corpus callosum which are (a) vein of Galen (VOG), (b) bilateral internal cerebral, (c) splenial veins (SVs), (d) BVR, and (e) vein of cerebellomesencephalic fissure.

Depending on the location of the tumor, the following corridors are proposed through which tumors were approached.

1. Infrasplenial
2. Occipito-Rosenthal
3. Inter-Rosenthal
4. Post-Rosenthal.

The main principle of this kind of positioning was to exploit gravity assisting the retraction of the occipital lobe which was further accentuated after release of the CSF from the ambient and quadrigeminal cisterns and finally degree of retraction was achieved through dynamic retraction using the suction tip and the bayonetted instruments (used for dissection mainly surgical bipolar) in the dominant hand.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients underwent surgery between 2015 and 2019. Seven patients had right-sided extension, four had left-sided extension, and four had midline lesions (based on whether lesion was draped between bilateral venous complexes or extending beyond the lateral veins like BVR). There were 10 males and five females, who ranged from 16 to 56 years in age (mean age, 31.2 ± 10.7 years). Two patients underwent resurgery for residual tumor (one was operated by OTT and other were operated by the SCIT approach). These included craniotomies with significant residual tumor which were found to be nonresponsive to chemotherapy with progression of tumor noted on follow-up imaging studies.

Headaches and diplopia were the most frequent presenting symptoms and occurred in 11 patients (73.3%) and 6 patients (40%), respectively. Other presenting symptoms included ataxia in three patients, hemiparesis in two patients, and memory loss in one patient. None of the patient had visual field defect before surgery. It is unusual for posterior third ventricular tumor to present with hemiparesis and both these patients (with preoperative motor deficit) experienced further deterioration. One of them improved to preoperative power in follow-up, while other remained in deteriorated status.

Thirteen patients had lesion centered along the posterior midline and remaining two patients had lesions centered along the posterolateral aspect. All the tumors extended along the rostrocaudal axis of the posterior incisural space along the splenium of the corpus callosum, atrium of the lateral ventricle, and superior colliculus.

Of the 15 patients reported in this series, 7 had contrast enhancement. There was no relationship noted between the location or extent and postoperative tumor histology or outcome. Hydrocephalus was present in 10 preoperative MRI, out of which, two patients needed ventriculoperitoneal shunt preoperatively. Intraoperative external ventricular drainage was done in 7 patients. One patient required postoperative VP shunt. Shunt malfunction was not encountered in our series.

Postoperative postcontrast MRI scans revealed that 11 patients had gross total resections and 4 patients had near- total resections. In these 4 patients with near total, complete tumor removal was not done either because tumor was adhered to the walls of the great VOG or the nearby venous complex. In one patient, the tumor tissue had infiltrated normal brain stem parenchyma and a safe surgical plane between tumor and infiltrated parenchyma was not apparent and while attempting the same, there was significant drop in the SSEP which was immediately restored once tumor was left behind. The histopathological distribution in our series is shown in [ Table 1 ].

Table 1:

Histopathological distribution of all the operated patients in our series.

There were no operative deaths in our series. Among the 15 patients, 12 were neurologically intact or had unchanged preexisting neurological deficits at 1 week after surgery. Three patients had new neurological deficits or worsening of preoperative deficits: two patients had hemiparesis and one patient had upgaze paresis.

At the 3-month and 6-month follow-up, 13 patients were neurologically intact. One patient with hemiparesis had improvement in motor power to preoperative status. One patient developed hydrocephalus at 2-month follow-up; he was a 34-year-old male, who presented with vomiting and ataxia, and underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Another patient had persistent hemiparesis.

One patient was previously operated by SCIT approach before and needed resurgery for symptomatic recurrence. This patient had persistent postoperative homonymous hemianopia. Otherwise, no patient in our series had new-onset visual field defect, either in postoperative period or 6-month follow-up.

DISCUSSION

The roof of cerebellomesencephalic fissure is related to posterior incisural space. The contents include (a) VOG, (b) splenium of the corpus callosum, (c) hippocampal commissure, (d) pulvinar of the thalamus, (e) fornix, and (f) parahippocampal gyri. Surgical approach to these deep structures includes OTT and SCIT; the choice of which depends on location and lateral extension of tumor. The OTT approach provides excellent exposure of paramedian lesions of the precentral cerebellar fissure and posterior incisural space. Among all other approaches for this region, OTT provides safest (in terms of cortical damage) corridor, is most surgeon friendly (as far as ergonomics are concern), and provides maximum desirable exposure. The major issue with OTT is retraction of occipital lobe which may lead to postoperative homonymous hemianopia. Various studies have reported transient visual field loss ranging from 19% to 100% of patients and permanent visual field loss in nearly 15–20% of patients [ Table 2 ]. This GAROT with slight modification in neck positioning resulted in very good surgical outcome in terms of visual field.[ 1 , 5 , 7 , 11 , 13 , 14 ]

Table 2:

Review of literature showing case series with operated cases of posterior third ventricular tumors and their visual outcome.

The complications such as seizures, hemiparesis, and disconnection syndrome are also avoided with GAROT, however, the complex anatomy of dural-falx folds and Galenic system in 90-degree tilted orientation, upsurges technical challenge for surgeon. Similar approaches are described in literature like the posterior interhemispheric parasplenial approach by Yasargil.[ 17 ] The advantage of the GAROT has been proven by the other series as well.[ 1 , 5 , 11 , 13 , 14 ] In our series, no complications were reported with total excision.

The cadaveric studies showing anatomical structures in sub-splenium region depicts normal architectural pattern of venous complex.[ 8 ] However, any mass lesion, benign or malignant, growing in this region, disturbs the normal venous arrangements. In our clinical experience, we realized that the anatomical sub-splenium region has some venous corridors. The precise anatomical knowledge of these venous corridors and choice of these corridors for better trajectory is the key in GAROT approach. Pure midline tumor epicentered at pineal region or posterior third ventricular ependymal region will push ICV anteriorly, superiorly, and splays both the BVR apart, so inter-Rosenthal corridor is most preferred. Similarly, any tumor extending more laterally (toward trigone) can be approached between BVR and IOV and ICV corridor. The interhemispheric transcallosal or transprecuneus approaches open directly into posterior third ventricle so CSF is drained and indirect brain decompression occurs, before dealing the tumor per se.[ 3 , 4 , 9 ] In GAROT approach, the decompression solely depends on cisternal opening, that is, opening dense arachnoid of veins or above described venous corridors. It is generally advised that an additional incision over Falx may widen the sub-splenial corridor, especially in case of retraction less surgery. However, in our experience, may be because our series had mainly large tumors, the additional maneuver was not needed as tumor decompression gave adequate space.

The venous corridors utilized are as follows:

Infrasplenial corridor between ICV and IOV: This is preferred to see the rostral part of the tumor with an advantage of separating the tumor from the ICV which is pushed superiorly and usually not accessible from behind. A little dynamic traction may be applied on the splenium, pushing it superiorly, to widen the corridor. Sometime it is necessary to open the arachnoid from this corridor, in cases where arachnoid over Galen complex is thick. The SV can be encountered pushed anteriorly and superiorly further creating surgical window between IOV and SV[ 10 , 15 ]

The exposure through these venous corridors was maximized by meticulous dissection of the arachnoid cuff around the veins draining into the deep venous complex. With advent of neuronavigation system and minimally invasive keyhole approach, few authors propose differential approach according to exact location of tumor. The OTT is, therefore, subdivided as interhemispheric and lateral OT approached and accordingly the tentorium is cut in two different fashions. The interhemispheric corridor provides better exposure of region superior to the corpus callosum and to the atrium of the lateral ventricle compared to the lateral OT approach.[ 7 , 10 ] The two layered tentorium should be coagulated well and a small window should be made just below the junction of two obvious slope of tentorium.

Importance of neck position in gravity-assisted retractorless occipital trans-tentorial approach (GAROTA)

Flexion/extension: The further decision of working more posterior that is toward collicular plate versus more anterior that is infrasplenial or toward posterior third ventricular area can be comforted by simple modification in neck extension for posterior visibility and neck flexion for anterior visibility.

CONCLUSION

GAROT is safe and effective approach for posterior third ventricle tumors. The principle of GAROTA revolves around the “gravity-assisted retraction” of the occipital lobe. This retraction is further supplemented by the use of dynamic retraction of suction and surgical bipolar/bayonet. A gentle manipulation of neck (flexion/extension) during positioning the patient helps the surgeon to access to the desired region of the posterior third ventricle area. The presence of cortical bridging occipital veins, posterior to the lambdoid suture necessitates dynamic retraction for an optimal surgical corridor. The tentacles of pods (venous anatomy) are naturally pushed apart to provide few corridors and facilitate the tumor excision. These corridors are infrasplenial corridor between ICV and IOV, occipito-Rosenthal corridor between IOV and Rosenthal vein, inter-Rosenthal corridor between the ipsilateral and contralateral RV, and post-Rosenthal corridor between RV and PCV. The chances of postoperative visual field defect are negligible in GAROTA.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent.

Financial support and sponsorship

Publication of this article was made possible by the James I. and Carolyn R. Ausman Educational Foundation.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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