The retrosigmoid approach to petroclival meningioma surgery

Petroclival meningiomas are technically challenging lesions. The authors retrospectively analyzed their experience between 2000 and 2010 in 82 patients with petroclival meningioma to evaluate changes in management strategy. A total of 42 patients (51%) were treated via the retrosigmoid approach. The patients received postoperative neurological and neuroradiological follow-up. The maximum diameter of the tumors ranged from 1.5 cm to 6.5 cm (mean, 3.8 cm). Gross total resection (Simpson Grade II) was achieved in 27 patients (64%), subtotal resection (Simpson Grade III) in 11 (26%), and partial removal (Simpson Grade IV) in four (9.5%). Ten patients (24%) had new neurological deficits or worsening of pre-existing deficits. One patient (2%) died because of brainstem dysfunction after surgery. The retrosigmoid approach is suitable for treatment of selected petroclival meningioma if the main part of the tumor is located in the posterior fossa in the cerebellopontine angle and the low clivus, and only a minor part of the tumor extends to the posterior wall of the cavernous sinus. This approach provides a low degree of surgical difficulty and a low complication rate.