The incidence of invasion and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma at different anatomic sites in the skull base.

This study aimed to investigate the incidence of direct invasion and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) at different anatomic sites in the skull base using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI data from 101 NPC patients with skull base invasion were collected and we analyzed the incidence and anatomic sites of invasion of NPC in the skull base. Of the 101 NPC patients, 84 had direct invasion at the skull base (83.

Inhibition of autophagy induced by proteasome inhibition increases cell death in human SHG-44 glioma cells.

Aim: The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and lysosome-dependent macroautophagy (autophagy) are two major intracellular pathways for protein degradation. Recent studies suggest that proteasome inhibitors may reduce tumor growth and activate autophagy. Due to the dual roles of autophagy in tumor cell survival and death, the effect of autophagy on the destiny of glioma cells remains unclear.

[Endoscopic transnasal reconstruction of skull base defects with titanium mesh].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of endoscopic transnasal reconstruction of skull base defect with titanium mesh.

Methods: Eight cases were selected to reconstruct their anterior skull base defects by endoscopic transnasal approach with titanium mesh between April, 2006 and January, 2007.

Results: Pathologies of these cases included two esthesioneuroblastomas, one squamous cell carcinoma, one chondrosarcoma, one malignant fibroma, two meningiomas, and one chordoma.

[Endoscopic endonasal surgery for clival tumor].

Objective: To review our experience with endoscopic endonasal approach for surgical management of clival tumors.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with clival tumors treated by endoscopic endonasal surgery between August 2002 and November 2005 were studied prospectively. The operative technique was described in detail.

[Endoscopic endonasal surgery for tumors of petroclival region and infratemporal fossa].

Objective: Nasal endoscope has been used increasingly during skull base surgery. However, most of endoscopic surgery limited to the repair of cerebrospinal rhinorrhea, decompression of traumatic optic nerve, hypophysectomy, etc. This study was undertaken to determine whether endoscopic endonasal approach was safe and effective for the resection of tumors located in petroclival region and infratemporal fossa.

[Skull base reconstruction and rehabilitation].

Objective: To review our experience with skull base reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Method: The clinical data of 30 patients with skull base reconstruction from 200 patients performed skull base surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Bone defect of skull base were repaired in 20 patients and dura defect in 6 patients and soft tissue defect in infratemporal fossa in 8 patients.