Tuberculum sellae meningiomas: functional outcome in a consecutive series treated microsurgically.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to analyze a series of patients harboring a tuberculum sellae meningioma with regard to clinical presentation and long-term functional outcome.


METHODS
Data in a consecutive series of 62 patients harboring a tuberculum sellae meningioma treated microsurgically between 1990 and 2003 were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
The mean age of the 46 women and 16 men enrolled in the study was 53 years (range = 29-81 years). The presenting symptom was visual compromise in 87.1% of the patients, and examination revealed decreased visual acuity in 79% and impaired visual fields in 64.5% of the patients. In addition, 14.5% of the patients had preoperative hormonal abnormalities. Simpson grades I and II resections, usually via a pterional approach, were achieved in 90.3% of the patients. Postoperatively, vision improved in 53.2%, remained unchanged in 29.8%, and deteriorated in 17.0% of the patients. The intraoperative finding predicting an unfavorable visual outcome was a thin atrophic optic nerve, encasement of the nerve, or tumor adhesion to its undersurface. Of the patients, 12.9% required permanent postoperative hormonal replacement. After a mean follow-up period of 6.0 years (range = 18 months-14 years), 88.7% of the patients resumed normal life activity and 2 recurrent tumors were observed (3.2%) and reoperated.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging provides reliable information with regard to dislocation of critical vascular structures. However, the relationship between optic nerves and tumors (eg, adhesion and encasement) affected postoperative results and can only be fully appreciated during microsurgery. Visual outcome may be improved by preserving the microvasculature supplying the optic apparatus.
Bassiouni
Hischam
H
Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany. hibassiouni@yahoo.de
Asgari
Siamak
S
Stolke
Dietmar
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D035262:Cranial Fossa, Anterior / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009897:Optic Chiasm / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery