Surgical nuances in the management of pineal region tumors via the occipital transtentorial approach without using brain retractor

Objective: Access to the pineal region has always represented a formidable challenge to the neurosurgeons. This study aims to explore the surgical techniques of the occipital transtentorial approach (OTA) without using brain retractor for excision of pineal region tumors based on the author’s experi...

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Main Authors: Lingmin Shao, Mohammad Rohul Amin, Jia Liu, Renzhong Liu, Zhihong Jian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214751925000386
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author Lingmin Shao
Mohammad Rohul Amin
Jia Liu
Renzhong Liu
Zhihong Jian
author_facet Lingmin Shao
Mohammad Rohul Amin
Jia Liu
Renzhong Liu
Zhihong Jian
author_sort Lingmin Shao
collection DOAJ
description Objective: Access to the pineal region has always represented a formidable challenge to the neurosurgeons. This study aims to explore the surgical techniques of the occipital transtentorial approach (OTA) without using brain retractor for excision of pineal region tumors based on the author’s experience and literature review. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients who underwent surgery for pineal tumors via OTA using dynamic retraction at our institution from 2018 to 2022. The clinical data, surgical procedure, and results were examined. Results: Twelve patients underwent surgery via OTA for treatment of pineal tumors. In all cases, it was feasible to complete surgery without using brain retractor. Gross total resection was achieved in 10 cases (83.3 %), while subtotal resection in 2 cases (16.7 %). There were no mortalities. Three patients presented with upper gaze palsy after surgery, 2 of them experienced complete recovery at the third month follow-up. Only one patient had residual neurologic deficit. Two patients reported transit diplopia after surgery. No postoperative hemianopsia was observed in this series. Conclusion: The occipital transtentorial approach is effective for the removal of tumors in the pineal region. Dynamic retraction with handheld instruments and meticulous dissection of arachnoid membrane around the deep veins can provide a sufficient working space.
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spelling doaj-art-8ae8f3bbbac54b4e9b7ef040ee2f0e3c2025-08-20T03:48:36ZengElsevierInterdisciplinary Neurosurgery2214-75192025-06-014010202610.1016/j.inat.2025.102026Surgical nuances in the management of pineal region tumors via the occipital transtentorial approach without using brain retractorLingmin Shao0Mohammad Rohul Amin1Jia Liu2Renzhong Liu3Zhihong Jian4Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, ChinaCorresponding author.; Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, ChinaObjective: Access to the pineal region has always represented a formidable challenge to the neurosurgeons. This study aims to explore the surgical techniques of the occipital transtentorial approach (OTA) without using brain retractor for excision of pineal region tumors based on the author’s experience and literature review. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients who underwent surgery for pineal tumors via OTA using dynamic retraction at our institution from 2018 to 2022. The clinical data, surgical procedure, and results were examined. Results: Twelve patients underwent surgery via OTA for treatment of pineal tumors. In all cases, it was feasible to complete surgery without using brain retractor. Gross total resection was achieved in 10 cases (83.3 %), while subtotal resection in 2 cases (16.7 %). There were no mortalities. Three patients presented with upper gaze palsy after surgery, 2 of them experienced complete recovery at the third month follow-up. Only one patient had residual neurologic deficit. Two patients reported transit diplopia after surgery. No postoperative hemianopsia was observed in this series. Conclusion: The occipital transtentorial approach is effective for the removal of tumors in the pineal region. Dynamic retraction with handheld instruments and meticulous dissection of arachnoid membrane around the deep veins can provide a sufficient working space.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214751925000386Pineal tumorsOccipital transtentorial approachVein of GalenVentriculostomyDynamic retraction
spellingShingle Lingmin Shao
Mohammad Rohul Amin
Jia Liu
Renzhong Liu
Zhihong Jian
Surgical nuances in the management of pineal region tumors via the occipital transtentorial approach without using brain retractor
Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery
Pineal tumors
Occipital transtentorial approach
Vein of Galen
Ventriculostomy
Dynamic retraction
title Surgical nuances in the management of pineal region tumors via the occipital transtentorial approach without using brain retractor
title_full Surgical nuances in the management of pineal region tumors via the occipital transtentorial approach without using brain retractor
title_fullStr Surgical nuances in the management of pineal region tumors via the occipital transtentorial approach without using brain retractor
title_full_unstemmed Surgical nuances in the management of pineal region tumors via the occipital transtentorial approach without using brain retractor
title_short Surgical nuances in the management of pineal region tumors via the occipital transtentorial approach without using brain retractor
title_sort surgical nuances in the management of pineal region tumors via the occipital transtentorial approach without using brain retractor
topic Pineal tumors
Occipital transtentorial approach
Vein of Galen
Ventriculostomy
Dynamic retraction
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214751925000386
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