Application of transnasal endoscopy combined with endovascular treatment in the operation of complex skull base tumors

Objective To explore the application value of transnasal endoscopy combined with endovascular treatment in the operation of skull base tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 9 patients who underwent endoscopic transnasal resection of skull base tumors and received endovascular treatment at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from January 2017 to July 2022. To observe the tumor resection and evaluate the postoperative efficacy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma according to the World Health Organization (WHO) solid tumor measurement standards. During the follow- up period, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used to assess postoperative neurological function recovery, and record tumor recurrence or progression. Complications related to endovascular treatment, such as pseudoaneurysm, spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction, were also recorded. Results Among 9 patients, there were 4 patients confirmed donor artery or internal carotid artery (ICA) rupture by DSA before operation, one case underwent spring coil embolization before operation, one case had a carotid catheter sheath inserted in advance during operation, one case had successful hemostasis with spring coil embolization during operation, one case had successful hemostasis with covered stent implantation during operation, 4 cases had ICA rupture confirmed by DSA during operation, and one case had successful hemostasis with spring coil embolization after DSA confirmation of ICA rupture. The total resection rate was 8/9. During a follow - up of 32.00 (25.00, 48.50) months, all patients did not experience tumor recurrence or progression. At the last follow -up, the GOS scores were 4-5, indicating good recovery of neurological function. A patient with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent immunotherapy had a recurrent pseudoaneurysm at the distal end of the ICA covered with a stent implanted in the petrous segment. Three months after the stent implantation, the patient underwent external carotid artery - radial artery - middle cerebral artery bypass surgery to successfully stop the bleeding without any postoperative complications. The remaining 8 patients did not experience complications such as spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage or pseudoaneurysm. All patients did not experience complications such as cerebral infarction. Conclusions Evdovascular treatment is helpful in evaluating the relationship between skull base tumors and surrounding blood vessels before endoscopic transnasal resection of skull base tumors. It can effectively block the donor artery, reduce the probability of intraoperative bleeding, effectively treat the rupture of large blood vessels, and reduce the occurrence of serious complications. The efficacy and safety are both high.