Is sagittal sinus resection in falcine meningiomas a factor of bad surgical outcome?
OBJECTIVE
Meningiomas arising purely from the falx below the longitudinal sinus represents a surgical challenge for the neurosurgeon. The authors discuss the new aspects of surgical details that may avoid complications and determine the prognosis.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated our surgical experience from June 2004 to January 2010. Seventy patients harboring falcine meningiomas were included and submitted for surgical resection. All historical records, office charts and images were reviewed in order to sample the most important data regarding epidemiology, clinical pictures, radiological findings and surgical results, as well as the main complications. The patients were divided into three main groups: anterior third 32 patients (Group A), middle third 15 patients (Group B), 23 patients in the posterior third of falx (Group C).


RESULTS
In Group A, total macroscopic resection was achieved in 31 out of 32 cases (96.87%). Twenty five patients had Rankin 0, five patients had Rankin 1-2, two patients had Rankin 6. In Group B (15 patients), 10 patients had gross resection and Rankin 0, four patients had Rankin 1-2 and one patient had Rankin 6. In Group C (23 patients), 20 patients were absolutely able, Rankin score 0, after six months postoperative period (83.3% had excellent results) and no mortality. Four cases had Rankin score 1 - 2 (16.6%). Ten cases (43.47%) had Simpson I resection and ten cases (43.47%) had Simpson II.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite larger lesion volumes, Group A meningiomas had a better outcome due to the position they were in, the tumor and surrounding structures. The preoperative preparation and surgical planning can preserve sagittal sinus; but in some cases, this is not possible. Sagittal sinus resection, as proven by this paper, is still a factor of bad surgical outcome. In the middle and posterior third, resection of sagittal sinus is a factor of a bad outcome, due to cerebral infartion.
Department of Neurology - São Paulo Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo; Division of Neurosurgery of Santa Paula Hospital, São Paulo; Division of Neurosurgery of Brigadeiro, Unic Brazilian Health System- (SUS-UBHS), São Paulo; Division of Neurosurgery of São Camilo Hospital, São Paulo; Department of Surgery, Catholic Pontific University, Curitiba, Brazil.
Paulo Henrique
PH
Pires de Aguiar
Rogério
R
Aires
Marcos Vinicius Calfatt
MV
Maldaun
Adriana
A
Tahara
Antonio Marcos
AM
de Souza Filho
Carlos Alexandre
CA
Zicarelli
Ricardo
R
Ramina