title: Carotid occlusion without reconstruction: a safe surgical option in selected patients.
abstract: Complete resection of extensive skull base tumors can be difficult when the disease involves or is closely related to the carotid artery. Detachable balloons have been used effectively to permanently occlude the carotid artery prior to anticipated surgical resection, but their use involves risk of significant cerebral complications. To better define the risks and benefits of this procedure, 52 patients who underwent balloon occlusion of the carotid artery followed by surgery with resection of a portion of the carotid artery were retrospectively reviewed. Pathologic findings are presented demonstrating the infiltrative nature of many of these tumors and the difficulty in separating histologically benign tumors from the carotid artery when they are closely related to it. Although vascular reconstruction can be considered whenever carotid occlusion or resection is planned, balloon occlusion without reconstruction can be safely performed in selected patients, avoiding unnecessary and hazardous additional surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Zane
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aeschbacher
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moll
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Fisch
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000601:surgery; D002404:Catheterization; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures