title: Minipterional Craniotomy for Treatment of Unruptured Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms. A Single-Center Comparative Analysis with Standard Pterional Approach as Regard to Safety and Efficacy of Aneurysm Clipping and the Advantages of Reconstruction.
abstract: Pterional craniotomy (PT) has long been the standard approach for the treatment of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms, even though it may cause temporalis muscle atrophy, facial nerve injury, and masticatory difficulties. Minipterional craniotomy (MPT) is an alternative approach that may provide the same surgical corridor, limiting the risk of postoperative esthetic and functional complications. From January 2011 to December 2014 we consecutively performed 68 craniotomies for surgical treatment of unruptured MCA aneuryms: 37 were standard PT and 31 were MPT. There were no significant differences in mean age, sex, and aneurysm topography between the two groups. The mean skin incision length was 14 cm in the PT group and 6 cm in the MPT group. According to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS), there were no significant differences in clinical outcome at discharge or follow-up between the two groups. Also, the rates of complete aneurysm exclusion were comparable. However, the number of patients complaining of masticatory disorders was higher among those treated with PT. Finally, the number of complications observed in the PT group was higher than that in the MPT group, but only the differences in mean hospitalization length and necessity for a dural patch for reconstruction were statistically significant. In conclusion, the MPT approach is a safe and effective alternative to the standard PT for the treatment of unruptured MCA aneurysms.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmelo Lucio
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Sturiale
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy. giularocca86@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Rocca
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Puca
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Visocchi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marchese
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sabatino
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albanese
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Aneurysm clipping; Middle cerebral artery aneurysm; Minipterional craniotomy; Pterional craniotomy; Reconstructive neurosurgery