Skull Base Tumors
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3601_e12_p300-319 2/15/02 4:46 PM Page 300 12 Skull Base Tumors MIKHAIL CHERNOV AND FRANCO DEMONTE Skull base tumors arise from the cranial base or reach Whereas location is the most important consider- it, either from an intracranial or extracranial origin. ation for surgical planning, the tumor’s biologic be- A diverse group, these tumors present unique man- havior dictates the need for, and order of, the vari- agement challenges because of their relative rarity, ous available therapies needed to optimize patient typically deep location, close proximity to critical neu- outcome. Some tumors, such as meningiomas and rovascular structures, and extension beyond classi- schwannomas, may require complete surgical exci- cally taught anatomic and specialty boundaries. Man- sion only to optimize patient outcome. Pathologies agement outcomes for skull base tumors are such as paranasal sinus carcinomas may, however, maximized when their treatment is approached in a require induction chemotherapy, surgical excision, multidisciplinary fashion, utilizing the knowledge and radiation therapy (RT) to achieve local control base of varied medical, surgical, and radiotherapeu- and possibly cure (Table 12–3). tic specialists. In general, the outcome of surgery for basal tu- mors depends on the type, size, and location of the neoplasm, patient’s age and general medical status, CLASSIFICATION and extent of preoperative neurologic disability (Lang et al., 1999). Large tumor size, encasement of major Skull base tumors may originate from the neurovascu- cerebral arteries, invasion of the cavernous sinus and lar structures of the base of the brain and the basal severe brain stem compression can necessitate in- meninges (e.g., meningioma, pituitary adenoma, complete tumor resection, whereas older age and low schwannoma, paraganglioma), the cranial base itself preoperative Karnofsky score have been associated (e.g., chordoma, chondrosarcoma), or the subcranial with increased risk of stroke and longer hospital stay structures of the head and neck (e.g., paranasal sinus (Holmes et al., 1995). carcinomas). A unified classification system does not exist for the plethora of pathologies, some quite rare, that may affect this area of the brain (Table 12–1). MENINGIOMA Classifications based on location are useful for clinicopathologic correlation due to the relatively Meningiomas (see Chapter 11) occur with an inci- constant constellation of signs and symptoms pro- dence of 2.6 per 100,000 persons per year and ac- duced by tumors located in specific regions of the count for 20% of all intracranial tumors. Forty per- skull base and due to the propensity for certain tu- cent of all meningiomas arise from the base of the mor pathologies to have a regional specificity (Table anterior, middle, or posterior fossa and are the most 12–2). Tumor location is also the prime determinant common skull base tumors. Sphenoid wing menin- of the surgical approach that is selected. giomas make up almost half of these tumors; tuber- 300 3601_e12_p300-319 2/15/02 4:46 PM Page 301 Table 12–1. Tumors of the Skull Base Site of Tumor Origin Tumor Pathology Basal neurovascular structures and meninges Meningioma Schwannoma Pituitary adenoma Craniopharyngioma Paraganglioma Hemangiopericytoma Cranial base Chordoma Chondrosarcoma Osteosarcoma Plasmacytoma Metastasis Subcranial with upward extension Sinonasal carcinomas Olfactory neuroblastoma Juvenile angiofibroma Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Adenoid cystic carcinoma Primary sarcomas Table 12–2. Classification of Skull-Base Tumors Based on Location Location Clinical Features Common Pathologies Anterior skull base Anosmia, frontal lobe dysfunction, Meningioma, olfactory neuroblastoma, increased intracranial pressure, nasal sinonasal malignancies obstruction, epistaxis, visual changes Middle skull base Central Pituitary hypo- or hyperfunction, optic Pituitary adenoma, meningioma, neuropathy (nerve and chiasm) craniopharyngioma, sphenoid sinus carcinoma Paracentral Optic neuropathy, sphenocavernous Meningioma, schwannoma, adenoid cystic syndrome carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma Lateral Proptosis, facial dysesthesia and pain, Meningioma, schwannoma, juvenile nasal trismus, epistaxis angiofibroma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, sarcoma Posterior skull base Cerebellopontine angle Hearing loss, facial numbness or weakness, Acoustic neuroma, meningioma, epidermoid, dysmetria, ataxia, lower cranial nerve trigeminal neuroma, cholesterol dysfunction, brain stem signs, increased granuloma intracranial pressure Clival Abducens palsy, bilateral cranial neuropathies, Chordoma, meningioma, paraganglioma, brain stem signs nasopharyngeal carcinoma, schwannoma, chondrosarcoma Jugular foramen Palsies of cranial nerves 9,10,11 (Vernet’s Paraganglioma, schwannoma, meningioma, syndrome), 9,10,11,12 (Collet-Sicard metastasis syndrome), 9,10,11,12, and sympathetics (Villaret’s syndrome) Foramen magnum Suboccipital neck pain (C2 dermatome), Meningioma, schwannoma, chordoma, ipsilateral dysesthesias, contralateral intramedullary tumor dissociated sensory loss, progressive weakness, wasting of intrinsic hand muscles 301 3601_e12_p300-319 2/15/02 4:46 PM Page 302 302 INTRACRANIAL EXTRA-AXIAL PRIMARY TUMORS Table 12–3. Classification of Skull-Base Tumors by Biologic Behavior Benign Meningioma, schwannoma, paraganglioma, pituitary adenoma, dermoid, epidermoid, juvenile angiofibroma, cholesterol granuloma, osteoma Low-grade malignancy Chordoma, chondrosarcoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, desmoid, low-grade fibrosarcoma, olfactory neuroblastoma, low-grade sarcomas, hemangiopericytoma High-grade malignancy Carcinomas, high-grade sarcomas (e.g., rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, osteogenic), lymphoma, metastases culum sella tumors and olfactory groove tumors com- surrounding peripheral nerves. Tumors may have prise the other half. Meningiomas of the posterior and small or large cystic components and can be moder- middle fossa are less common, with incidences of 8% ately vascular. The cellular components of schwan- and 4%, respectively. nomas are typically organized into densely packed hy- percellular areas of spindly cells (“Antoni type A”) with intervening hypocellular zones composed of PITUITARY ADENOMA loosely organized stellate cells (“Antoni type B”). The compact Antoni type A tissue often, but not invariably, In 2.6% to 15% of cases pituitary adenomas (see exhibits prominent nuclear palisading (Verocay bod- Chapter 8) may attain giant size (more than 4 to 5 ies). Cytologically, no differences are found between cm in any direction) and exhibit extensive invasion spontaneous and familial tumors; however, on histo- of the skull base and paranasal sinuses (Pia et al., logic examination approximately 40% of the NF2 neo- 1985; Majos et al., 1998). These are mainly en- plasms appear to have grapelike clusters that can in- docrinologically inactive tumors in the elderly and filtrate the fibers of the individual nerves. Growth prolactinomas in the young. Clinical and imaging fea- fraction varies from 0.36% to 3.15% (Lesser et al., tures of giant pituitary adenomas differ from tumors 1991). that are smaller in size. Diagnosis and Treatment SCHWANNOMA Vestibular Schwannomas Intracranial nerve sheath tumors represent only 4% Vestibular schwannomas represent nearly 6% of all to 8% of intracranial neoplasms with the most com- intracranial tumors. The tumors arise at the transi- mon being vestibular schwannomas, followed by tional zone between the central and peripheral myelin trigeminal nerve tumors. These neoplasms can arise, sheaths of the nerve. The majority of neoplasms orig- although infrequently, from other cranial nerves, both inate within the internal auditory canal; however, intra- and extracranially. Although schwannomas can more medially located tumors constitute 10% to 15% develop as an isolated disease process, most in- of cases. Whereas tumors in the more typical loca- tracranial nonvestibular tumors and 5% of vestibular tion compress the adjacent auditory nerve early in schwannomas are associated with neurofibromatosis their growth, the medial tumors may grow to a sig- type 2 (NF2). nificant size without causing hearing loss. Clinical fea- tures, as well as treatment strategy and prognosis, are greatly influenced by the size and extension of the Pathology and Pathogenesis tumor. Schwannomas are typically globoid, ovoid, or dumb- Unilateral hearing loss occurs in more than 90% bell-shaped, well-circumscribed tumors. They arise of patients and is often accompanied by tinnitus. from Schwann cells, which form the myelin sheaths Cochlear nerve dysfunction usually is the most long- 3601_e12_p300-319 2/15/02 4:46 PM Page 303 Skull Base Tumors 303 standing symptom followed by vestibular distur- morbidity and mortality, and, when possible, preser- bances, which may have an intermittent course. Im- vation of hearing. balance is encountered in 50% of cases and vertigo The choice of surgical approach needs to take into in 19%. Trigeminal nerve signs are the third most account the size and the amount of extension of the common symptom, with 50% of patients reporting fa- tumor into the internal auditory canal (IAC) as well cial numbness (Pitts et al., 1996). Larger tumors can as the patient’s hearing ability and experience of the cause facial weakness, signs of brain stem compres- surgical team. Every attempt should be made to pre- sion, and obstructive hydrocephalus. The average du- serve useful hearing, although it must be realized that ration of symptoms is 3.7 years (Matthies