[Paraganglioma of the head and neck--tumor control, functional results and quality of life].

Background: Surgical therapy for paragangliomas (PG) of the head and neck is, due to the alternatives of radiation therapy and wait-and-scan strategy and because of postoperative morbidity, under ongoing discussion.

Material And Methods: Between 1981 and 2004, 79 patients with 94 PG of the head and neck were treated at our department. These patients had follow-up examination within a clinical trial considering tumor control, functional results and for the first time neuropsychologically evaluated postoperative quality of life.

[Reconstruction of the frontoorbital frame using split-thickness calvarial bone grafts].

Background: There are many autogenous and allogenous grafts as well as alloplastic materials available for the reconstruction of craniofacial bony frame. We review our techniques and describe the advantages of using calvarial bone, especially split-thickness grafts for bone reconstruction in this area.

Patients And Methods: Between 1996 and 2003 the orbitocranial bony frames of 15 patients were reconstructed using split calvarial bone grafts at the ENT-Department of the Hospital Fulda gAG.

[Endonasal micro-endoscopic tumor surgery: state of the art].

Background: The aim of the present study was to establish the efficacy of endonasal micro-endoscopic surgery for removal of benign and malignant neoplastic lesions of the paranasal sinuses and the anterior skull base.

Material And Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 350 patients with tumors of the paranasal sinuses and the anterior skull base (215 benign and 135 malignant tumors) that were treated surgically at the ENT-Department of the Hospital Fulda gAG between 1993 and 2003. Median follow-up was 65 months.

[Meningeal hemangiopericytoma with liver metastasis].

Hemangiopericytomas are mesenchymal tumors and account for about 1% of all CNS tumors. Aggressive growth, tendency to local recurrence and relatively frequent metastases are the clinical features of these tumors. Histological characteristics are marked cellularity, vascularity and a dense net of reticular fibers.

[Reconstruction of the forehead region with tabula externa of the skull].

Background: Calvarial bone graft is often used in reconstructive cranio-facial surgery. As most common three different forms can be distinguished: outer-table bone, full thickness grafts and composite flaps (bone with a periostal or muscular pedicle).

Patient And Method: An extensive fibrous dysplasia of the frontal region was removed in a 26 years old patient.