Postoperative Visual Outcome of Meningiomas Located in the Sellar Region

Meningiomas of the sellar region represent approximately 4%–10% of all intracranial meningiomas [3, 7, 9], involving the tuberculum sellae, anterior clinoid processes, diaphragma sellae, and planum sphenoidale. Because of their association with important vascular and functional regions their treatment causes some major problems. Besides endocrinological disturbances, headaches, seizures, and mental disorders, visual loss and bitemporal hemianopsia are common symptoms. Operative mortality and mobidity have been improved by microsurgical methods and progress in neuroanesthesia and intensive care [10]. The postoperative visual outcome is an important problem for the patient and may worsen the prognosis of these tumors. In this study 40 tumors of the sellar region presenting visual symptoms were reviewed to evaluate the postoperative course of visual disturbances and prognostic criteria.