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Minimally Invasive Thumb-sized Pterional Craniotomy for Surgical Clip Ligation of Unruptured Anterior Circulation Aneurysms
Published on: August 11, 2015
Outcome analysis of preoperative embolization in cranial base surgery
C L Rosen1, J M Ammerman, L N Sekhar
1Department of Neurological Surgery, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington DC, USA.
Acta Neurochirurgica
|November 16, 2002
Summary
Embolization of skull base meningiomas is a valuable surgical adjunct. While generally safe, with 91% achieving good results, 9% experienced permanent complications, necessitating careful patient selection.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Interventional Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cranial base tumor management necessitates a multidisciplinary strategy.
- Supraselective angiography and embolization are crucial adjuncts in cranial base surgery.
- While embolization aids tumor resection, its associated morbidity is not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the morbidity associated with embolization of skull base meningiomas.
- To provide data for informed decision-making regarding embolization as an adjunct to surgery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of embolization procedures for 167 cranial base meningiomas.
- Defined cranial base meningiomas by tumor origin (olfactory groove, tuberculum sella, medial sphenoid wing, petro-clival region, foramen magnum).
Main Results:
- 280 feeding vessels were embolized (average 1.7 per lesion).
- 91% of patients had good to excellent embolization without permanent neurological deficits.
- 12.6% experienced transient complications, and 9% had permanent neurologic deficits or medical morbidity.
Conclusions:
- Embolization is an important therapeutic option for cranial base lesions.
- Understanding the procedure's morbidity is key to its appropriate application in cranial base surgery.
