Results of microsurgical removal of 147 central skull base meningiomas

Objective To investigate the strategy and techniques of microsurgical treatment for central skull base meningioma. Methods A retrospective review was performed in 147 central skull base meningiomas, which were admitted consecutively from April 2004 to December 2007, and were removed via subfrontal approach, pterional approach, suboccipital retrosigmoid approach, subtemperal transtentorial approach, presigrnoid supra- and infratentorial approach and far lateral approach depending on the position and the extension of the tumors. Results The tumors were totally resected ( Simpson Ⅰ , Ⅱ ) in one-stage in 112 cases. The function of cranial nerves was improved in 30 cases. There were new functional deficits or deterioration of cranial nerves in 25 cases. There was no operative mortality. Contusion Despite of the challenges encountered in treating complex central skull base meniugiomas, precise preoperative evaluation, tailored surgical approaches according to tumor extension and microsurgical techniques can serve two purposes: total resection and minimal morbidity. Key words: Central skull base;  Meningioma;  Microsurgery