Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
[Surgical management of petroclival meningiomas invading into cavernous sinus]
Mei-hua Li1, Tao Hong, Yi-yun Li
1Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China. Limeihua2000@sina.com
Objective:
To analyze the clinical features, surgical strategy and management outcomes of petroclival meningioma invading into cavernous sinus.
Methods:
Fifteen cases with petroclival meningioma invading into cavernous sinus were retrospectively analyzed. The presigmoidal approach was selected to remove tumors. The surgical strategy for tumor in cavernous sinus was partial resection combined with radiosurgery. Postoperative cranial nerve function and patient survival status were analyzed.
Results:
The main symptoms of subtype of petroclival meningiomas were headache, abducens nerve palsy and trigeminal neuropathy. Gross total tumor removal was achieved in 13 cases and more than 90% resection in 2 cases. There was no operative death. Nine cases suffered from new postoperative cranial nerve deficits. After a follow-up of 6 - 59 months, complete improvement was achieved in oculomotor nerve deficits, much improvement in VII nerve deficit, but V and VI nerve function deficits improved slightly. The tumor progression-free survival rate was 86.7%.
Conclusion:
Rational surgical strategy to petroclival meningiomas invading into cavernous sinus should be suggested to reduce the operative morbidity and improve the survival quality of these patients.
Insights
This study analyzed petroclival meningiomas invading the cavernous sinus. A combined surgical and radiosurgery approach improved patient outcomes and survival quality.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
- Neurology
Context:
- Petroclival meningiomas are tumors located at the skull base.
- Invasion into the cavernous sinus presents unique surgical challenges.
- Cavernous sinus involvement can lead to significant cranial nerve deficits.
Purpose:
- To analyze clinical features of petroclival meningiomas invading the cavernous sinus.
- To evaluate the surgical strategy and management outcomes.
- To assess the impact on cranial nerve function and patient survival.
Summary:
- Fifteen cases of petroclival meningioma invading the cavernous sinus were reviewed.
- A presigmoidal approach with partial resection and radiosurgery was employed.
- Gross total removal was achieved in 13 cases; 86.7% had tumor progression-free survival.
Impact:
- The study highlights the importance of a rational surgical strategy.
- This approach aims to reduce operative morbidity.
- Improved survival quality for patients with these complex tumors is the goal.
