Olfaction preservation after removal of large tuberculum sellae meningiomas via a superior interhemispheric approach. A quantitative and qualitative study.
BACKGROUND
We present a prospective series of tuberculum sellae meningioma (TSM) resected via a superior interhemispheric (IH) approach in 10 patients who preoperatively and postoperatively underwent extensive olfaction testing using a standardised test battery.


METHODS
This prospective longitudinal study evaluated the olfactory function after TSM resection. The resection was performed via a superior interhemispheric (IH) approach. The quantitative and qualitative analyses of the olfactory function were assessed with the Biolfa(®) olfactory test (at 6 months).


RESULTS
Between November 2009 and April 2012, 10 consecutive patients with symptomatic TSM and preserved olfactory function were operated via a superior IH approach. For the self-evaluation criteria of the olfactory function, the mean preoperative visual analog scale score was 8.8. The mean preoperative total quantitative (/27) scored 18.2 ± 6.3 for this cohort of 10 patients. In the postoperative period, the mean total score decreased non-significantly to 15.8 ± 8.8 (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.085). The mean preoperative qualitative score (/8) was 5.5 ± 1.7 and in the postoperative period decreased, non-significantly, to 4.7 ± 2.6 (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.12). The olfactory function was quantitatively and qualitatively preserved in 6 patients (60%), but a postoperative deterioration occurred in 2 (20%) and an anosmia in 2 (20%). Size and invasive characteristics of the meningioma determined the post-surgical deterioration.


CONCLUSIONS
Olfaction is an important factor of emotional and social life, which needs to be integrated into the challenge regarding the resection of TSM. The risks of nerve damage are reviewed.
Department of Neurosurgery, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France.
P
P
Hannequin
Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France.
A
A
Paviot
Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France.
O
O
Chaussy
Department of Neurosurgery, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France.
V
V
Gilard
Department of Neurosurgery, hôpital Hautepierre, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg cedex, France.
H
H
Cébula
Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France.
J-P
JP
Marie
Department of Neurosurgery, hôpital Hautepierre, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg cedex, France. Electronic address: f.proust@neurochirurgie.fr.
F
F
Proust
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D066208:Olfactory Tubercle / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D015173:Supratentorial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Meningioma; Méningiome; Olfaction; Sellar tuberculum; Tubercule sellaire