Optimal microsurgical treatment of dorsum sellae meningioma.
BACKGROUND
There are few reports of microsurgical treatment of dorsum sellae meningiomas-which, because of location, size, and differences in growth direction, clinical presentations, degree of surgical difficulty, have varied posttreatment sequelae. In pursuit of an optimal microsurgical treatment option for dorsum sellae meningioma patients, we performed a retrospective analysis of eight microsurgery-treated patients in our set up.


METHODS
Clinical data of eight microsurgery-treated dorsum sellae meningioma patients were analyzed. Dorsum sellae meningiomas were classified into 2 types based on tumor location, size, and direction of growth. Type I tumors (dorsum sellae-inferior third ventricle type, four cases) were resected by craniotomy via the frontotemporal or orbitozygomatic approach. Type II tumors (dorsum sellae-third ventricle type, 4 cases) were resected by frontal craniotomy via the transcallosal-interforniceal approach.


RESULTS
Complete tumor resection was achieved in all the eight patients. In Type I tumor patients, the only postoperative complication was oculomotor nerve palsy. In Type II tumor patients, the postoperative complications included hyperthermia, electrolyte imbalances, endocrinologic disturbances, and hydrocephalus. The mean follow-up was 2.1 years. Four patients returned to normal life and found a job, two were able to live independently, one required assistance, while one died.


CONCLUSIONS
Dorsum sellae meningioma surgery is challenging, and resection of Type II tumors is more difficult than Type I tumors. The selection of a suitable microsurgical approach based on tumor type, and the active treatment of postoperative complications are important means of increasing therapeutic efficacy.
Department of Neurosurgery, Beijng Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. gengsumin@yahoo.com.cn
Su-min
SM
Geng
Jun-ting
JT
Zhang
Li-wei
LW
Zhang
Zhen
Z
Wu
Zhong-cheng
ZC
Wang
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome