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Orbital meningioma, the Utrecht experience
Maarten Ph. Mourits1, Jan Willem Berkelbach van der Sprenkel
1Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
Orbit (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|June 5, 2002
Summary
Orbital meningiomas often present with proptosis and vision loss. Surgical resection offers high immediate symptom relief but carries risks of cranial nerve damage and recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Orbital meningiomas are tumors arising from meningothelial cells within the orbit.
- These tumors can be primary or secondary, affecting structures like the optic nerve sheath or sphenoid ridge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiology, clinical course, and treatment outcomes of orbital meningiomas.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and complications of orbitoneurosurgical resection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of 63 consecutive patients with orbital meningioma between 1992 and 1999.
- Data collected included patient demographics, initial symptoms, ophthalmic findings, clinical course, and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- The cohort (53 females, mean age 41.9-47.6 years) most frequently presented with proptosis and visual complaints.
- Thirty-three patients were managed conservatively, while 30 underwent surgery; 50% achieved radical resection.
- Immediate symptom relief occurred in 90% of operated patients, with cranial nerve damage as the most common complication.
Conclusions:
- Proptosis and vision loss are hallmark symptoms of orbital meningiomas.
- While surgical outcomes are often favorable for symptom relief, recurrence and cranial nerve damage are potential concerns.