Surgical treatment of trigeminal neurinomas.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the best surgical approach for the removal of trigeminal neurinomas (TNs).


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 75' patients with TNs in Huashan Hospital was carried out.


RESULTS
In the early group (1978-1984), a series of conventional intradural approaches were used; in the late group (1985-1995), an epidural approach via the skull-base craniotomy was used. Total tumor removal was achieved in 58% (20/35) of patients in the early group and 80% (32/40) in the late group (P < 0.025). Temporary and permanent cranial nerve morbidity were 62.7% and 37% in the early group and 28.1% and 10% in the late group (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The best microsurgical approach for the removal of trigeminal neurinomas except those confined to the posterior fossa is epidural approach or epidurotransduro-transtentorial approach via the skull-base craniotomy.
Zhou
L
L
Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai 200040, China. lfzhouc@online.sh.cn
Ren
L
L
Li
S
S
Guo
H
H
D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020433:Trigeminal Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*