Abstract
Cavernous malformations (CVMs) located in the thalamus are uncommon. However, they pose difficulties for resection because of their close proximity to eloquent areas of the brain and vascular structures, and all surgical corridors to access them are narrow. In this video, we report the case of a 19-year-old woman who presented with a long-standing history of right hemiparesis with recent deterioration. MRI revealed a large CVM located in the left thalamus, with signs of recent hemorrhage extending to the left cerebral peduncle. Resection was achieved with a paramedian contralateral supracerebellar infratentorial approach in a semisitting position, with an uneventful postoperative course.
The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/Arvu52FkHOE.
Keywords: thalamic cavernous malformation, supracerebellar infratentorial approach, microsurgical resection, video
Transcript
00:20 This video illustrates the microsurgical techniques for resection of a large-sized cavernous malformation located in the left thalamus.
00:30 The patient was a 19-year-old female which presented with sudden high-intensity headache and worsening of long-standing spastic hemiparesis of unknown etiology 6 days before admission, going from grade 4 to grade 1 motor strength.
00:49 Visual impairment was also noted, with blurring of the right visual fields.
00:56 Her CT scan has shown a large lesion in the left thalamus with hemorrhage extending inferiorly to the left cerebral peduncle, with calcifications throughout its interior.
01:10 Her MRI study later revealed a large cavernous malformation in the left thalamus with inferior extension to the mesencephalon, in the left cerebral peduncle.
01:23 Tractography is a valuable tool for identification of the corticospinal tract and choice of surgical approach; due to the proximity of the thalamus and the posterior limb of the internal capsule, most thalamic cavernous malformations displace this tract anteriorly. However, DTI imaging was not available at that time.
01:45 The semisitting position was chosen to allow a paramedian contralateral supracerebellar infratentorial approach, giving access to the cisternal portion of the left pulvinar. The operative site was marked with the aid of neuronavigation. Typical prepping and draping was performed.
02:09 A posterior linear incision was made, and muscle dissection was performed through the midline in a relatively avascular plane. The suboccipital region and the posterior arc of C1 were exposed.
02:26 A median suboccipital craniotomy with paramedial extension was performed, and venous sinus hemostasis was achieved with oxidized cellulose and fibrin glue.
02:59 A C-shaped infratentorial durotomy followed, exposing both cerebellar hemispheres.
01:13 Careful dissection of the pineal region was performed.
03:47 With further dissection we reached the cisternal portion of the left pulvinar, where hemosiderin deposits were identified.
03:57 The quadrigeminal cistern was identified, as well as the pineal gland, the vein of Galen, the left basal vein of Rosenthal, and the precentral cerebellar vein.
04:17 The operative corridor was checked with the aid of neuronavigation, aimed at the cisternal portion of the left pulvinar.
04:27 The lesion was exposed after white matter dissection. It had a typical cavernous malformation aspect.
05:00 The lesion was gradually devascularized.
05:21 We removed the cavernous malformation in a piecemeal fashion, using meticulous dissection and coagulation and avoiding excessive manipulation of the adjacent structures.
06:14 After complete removal of the lesion, careful and thorough hemostasis was performed.
06:20 It is generally reported that the PCCV can be sacrificed without any clinical symptoms, as it was necessary at the end of this case. In this final picture, it is possible to visualize the surgical corridor after dissection and removal of the cavernous malformation.
06:42 The dura was closed in a watertight fashion, followed by sutures of layers of muscle, subcutaneous tissue, and skin.
06:52 The patient had an excellent postoperative recovery.
06:58 She underwent postoperative MRI 3 months later, with good results after surgery.
07:06 Her motor strength returned to the baseline immediately after surgery, and showed even further improvement after 3 months, reaching grade 4+.
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