The Outcome of Surgery Treatment of Cranial Base Meningiomas

The authors report 16 cases of large cranial base meningiomas operated on during the 7-year period from August 1986 through August 1994.

These minigiomas were 4 cases of olfactory groove, 4 cases of tuberculum sellas, 1 case of cavernous sinus, 2 cases of sphenoid ride(medial), 3 cases of tentorium, 1 case of intratemporal fossa and 1 case of petroclival area. These were 14 women(87%) and 2 men(13%) with a mean age of 48 years(mage 17 to 65 years).

Microsurgical technque with recent advance sugical approach assisted in removal of tumor tissues with preservation of vital structures. The grading of tumor removal by Simpson grading system were followings ; grade I 4 grade II 8 cases, grade III 2 cases grade IV 2 cases. There were 4 deaths(25%) ; one from pulmonary edema, one from myocardiac ischemia, one from sepsis and from brain swelling. Only one patient died from the cause related to his tumor. Overall 6(44%) of patients are doing well and 5(31%) have significant disability.