Extended Pterional Approach for Medial Sphenoid Wing Meningioma: A Series of 47 Patients

Jose Carlos Lynch1, Celestino Esteves Pereira1, Mariangela Gonçalves1

  • 1Departmnet of Neurosurgery, Public Servants Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Insights

The extended pterional approach is a safe and effective surgical method for removing medial sphenoid wing meningiomas (MSWMs). This microsurgical technique achieved gross total resection in most patients without any surgical mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Surgical Oncology

Background:

  • Medial sphenoid wing meningiomas (MSWMs) present unique surgical challenges.
  • The extended pterional approach is a specialized technique for accessing these tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail the operative strategy for MSWM removal using the extended pterional approach.
  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of this surgical method.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 47 patients with MSWMs operated between 1986 and 2016.
  • Review of medical charts, operative reports, imaging, and clinical follow-up data.

Main Results:

  • No surgical mortality was recorded in the study cohort.
  • Gross total resection was achieved in 63.8% of patients.
  • Intradural clinoidectomy was performed in 34% of cases, with a median follow-up of 8.5 years.

Conclusions:

  • The extended pterional approach, combined with microsurgical techniques, yields excellent outcomes for MSWM resection.
  • This approach offers a safe and effective strategy for managing medial sphenoid wing meningiomas.