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J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2012; 73(01): 001-010
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1304835
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Posterior Cranial Fossa Meningiomas[*]

Vijayakumar Javalkar
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
,
Anirban Deep Banerjee
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
,
Anil Nanda
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

22 December 2010

13 July 2011

Publication Date:
24 February 2012 (online)

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Posterior Cranial Fossa MeningiomasSkull Base 2011; 21(S 02): e12-e12
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1287684

Abstract

This study evaluated the outcomes, complications, and recurrence rates of posterior cranial fossa meningiomas. We retrospectively reviewed our surgical experience with 64 posterior cranial fossa meningiomas. Mean age was 56 years with a female preponderance (67.2%). Headache was the most common symptom. Retrosigmoid approach was the commonest surgical procedure (23.4%). The incidence of cranial nerve related complications was 28%. Postoperatively facial nerve weakness was observed in 11%. The incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leak was 4.6%. Gross total resection was achieved in 37 patients (58%). Sixteen patients (25%) with residual tumors underwent Gamma knife radiosurgery. Recurrence or tumor progression was observed in 12 patients (18.7%). Operative mortality was 3.1%. At their last follow-up, 93% of the cases achieved Glasgow Outcome Scale scores 4 or 5. Total excision is the ideal goal which can be achieved with meningiomas located in certain location, such as lateral convexity, but for other posterior fossa meningiomas the close proximity of critical structures is a major obstacle in achieving this goal. In practicality, a balance between good functional outcome and extent of resection is important for posterior cranial fossa meningiomas in proximity to critical structures.

Keywords

posterior fossa - skull base - meningiomas

* This article was originally Published online in Skull Base on September 27, 2011 (DOI:10.1055/s-0031-1287684)


 

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