[Surgical outcomes of different approaches for mesial temporal lobe gliomas]

To analyze the surgical outcomes of different approaches for mesial temporal lobe gliomas.

Microsurgery was performed via trans-sylvian, trans-temporal, or subtemporal approaches on 62 patients with mesial temporal lobe gliomas, 33 with localized tumors within the mesial temporal structures (type A), 19 in anterior portion (type A1), and 14 extending to posterior portion (type A2); 19 patients with multicompartmental tumors involving the mesial temporal lobe, insular lobe, and posterior frontorbital gurus (type B); 14 patients with tumors involving the temporal pole and lateral areas of the temporal horn (type C); and 6 patients with tumors infiltrating the brain stem, basal nuclei and thalamus (type D).

Trans-sylvian approach was performed in 25 cases of which total tumor removal was achieved in 14 cases, subtotal removal in 6 cases, and gross removal in 5 cases. Primary visual deficits worsened after surgery in 5 cases. Trans-temporal approach was used in 23 cases of which total tumor resection was achieved in 15 cases, subtotal resection in 5 cases, and gross resection in 3 cases. Primary visual deficits worsened after surgery in 5 cases. Four patients in which preoperative vision were good presented with visual deficits postoperatively. Subtemporal approach was used in 14 cases of which total tumor removal was achieved in 10 cases, and subtotal removal in 4 cases. All 14 patients did not develop worsened vision after surgery.

Trans-sylvian and subtemporal approaches can reduce possible harm to parenchyma and optic radiation, whereas approaches to the temporal horn through the superior and middle temporal gyri will induce damage to parenchyma and optic radiation.