title: Medial sphenoid ridge meningiomas: early and long-term results of surgical removal using the fronto-temporo-orbito-zygomatic approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The fronto-temporo-orbito-zygomatic approach (FTOZA) is an alternative to the pte-rional approach in surgical resection of meningiomas of the medial part of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone. The purpose of this study is to present our results of treatment of these meningiomas using the FTOZA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients (19 women, 11 men) with a central skull base tumour were included in the study. The neurological status of the patients was assessed before and after surgery as well as at the conclusion of treatment. The approximate volume of the operated tumour, its relation to large blood vessels, cranial nerves and brainstem, as well as consistency and vascularisation were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The symptom duration ranged from 1 to 36 months (median: 6 months). Impaired visual acuity was the predominant symptom in 27.5% of patients. Less frequent symptoms included paresis/paralysis of the third cranial nerve, headache, psychoorganic syndrome and epilepsy. Approximate volume of the tumours ranged from 5 to 212 mL (median: 63 mL). Total or subtotal resection was achieved in 77% of patients. The postoperative performance status improved in 16.5%, did not change in 52.8% and deteriorated in 26.4% of patients. One (3.3%) patient died after the surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FTOZA is a useful technique for removal of tumours expanding superiorly to the middle cranial fossa base without significant compression of the brain. Ability to remove tumours through the described approach decreases as the degree of infiltration of the clivus increases.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Oddzial Kliniczny Neurochirurgii, Slaski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Sosnowiec. sekr_nch@wss5.pl
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ladziński
authors.forename: Henryk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Majchrzak
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kaspera
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Majchrzak
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tymowski
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adamczyk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011044:Poland; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019291:Skull Base / Q000601:surgery; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D015050:Zygoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*