Keyhole approach surgery for petroclival meningioma.
BACKGROUND
In China, the feasibility of keyhole approach in surgical treatment of petroclival meningioma has not been well evaluated. This report summarized our experience in 25 patients with petroclival meningioma who had been treated with keyhole approach surgery.


METHODS
From July 2000 to July 2005, 25 patients with petroclival meningioma were subjected to resection via subtemporal, retrosigmoid or combined keyhole approaches. The extent of tumor resection was evaluated by MRI 3 months after surgery, and postoperative complications were investigated.


RESULTS
The maximum diameter of tumors ranged from 2 to 7 cm (mean, 4.5 cm). Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 14 patients, giving a GTR rate of 56%. Subtotal resection (STR) was carried out in 8 patients and partial resection in 3. Thirteen patients kept normal neurological status, whereas others suffered from cranial nerve deficits (VII, VII, III and lower CN). One patient died in the postoperative period.


CONCLUSIONS
Keyhole approach surgery, especially the combined keyhole approach is suitable for the treatment of petroclival meningioma. It provides easy and quick access to the supra- and infratentorial juxta-clival region without drilling of the petrous bone. Complications related to the approach can be minimized.
Zhu
Wei
W
Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Neurosurgical Center, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
Mao
Ying
Y
Zhou
Liang-fu
LF
Zhang
Rong
R
Chen
Liang
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome