title: Use of 3D-computed tomography angiography for planning the surgical removal of pineal region meningiomas using Poppen's approach: a report of ten cases and a literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are several treatment approaches for pineal region meningiomas, such as Poppen's approach, Krause's approach and combinations of the two approaches. We present our experience with the use of 3D-computed tomography angiography for planning the surgical removal of pineal region meningiomas using a suboccipital transtentorial approach (Poppen's approach) and evaluate the role of Poppen's approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the period from January 2005 to June 2010, ten patients presented to us with pineal region meningioma. MRI was routinely used to define the tumor size, position, and its relevant complications while 3D-CTA was applied to define the blood supply of the tumor and the venous complex (VC) shift before operations. Most of the meningiomas had developed at both sides of the tentorial plane and extended laterally with typical characteristics of a pineal region tumor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All tumors were completely removed surgically without any injury to the VC. Postoperative intracranial infection occurred in one case who recovered after antibiotics were given. Postoperative intraventricular hemorrhage and pneumocephalus were found in one case, but fully recovered after conservative treatment. In the nine cases of concurrent hydrocephalus, this was gradually relieved in eight patients and the single case that became aggravated was successfully treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Moreover, the follow-up MRI examinations did not indicate any recurrence of the meningiomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that the use of Poppen's approach is strongly supported for the successful removal of pineal region meningiomas without serious complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun 130021, China.
authors.forename: Yunqian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Honglei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wanan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Limei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jinlu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008579:Meningioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010870:Pineal Gland; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed