Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Trigeminal Schwannomas: A 28-Year Single-Center Experience and Review of the Literature

Clinical and Imaging Outcomes After Trigeminal Schwannoma Radiosurgery: Results From a Multicenter, International Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

An international, multicenter, retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes and tumor control rates after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for trigeminal schwannoma.

METHODS

Patient data (N = 309) were collected from 14 international radiosurgery centers. The median patient age was 50 years (range 11-87 years). Sixty patients (19%) had prior resections. Abnormal facial sensation was the commonest complaint (49%). The anatomic locations were root (N = 40), ganglion (N = 141), or dumbbell type (N = 128). The median tumor volume was 4 cc (range, 0.2-30.1 cc), and median margin dose was 13 Gy (range, 10-20 Gy). Factors associated with tumor control, symptom improvement, and adverse radiation events were assessed.

RESULTS

The median and mean time to last follow-up was 49 and 65 months (range 6-242 months). Greater than 5-year follow-up was available for 139 patients (45%), and 50 patients (16%) had longer than 10-year follow-up. The overall tumor control rate was 94.5%. Tumors regressed in 146 patients (47.2%), remained unchanged in 128 patients (41.4%), and stabilized after initial expansion in 20 patients (6.5%). Progression-free survival rates at 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years were 91%, 86%, and 80 %. Smaller tumor volume (less than 8 cc) was associated with significantly better progression-free survival ( P = .02). Seventeen patients with sustained growth underwent further intervention at a median of 27 months (3-144 months). Symptom improvement was noted in 140 patients (45%) at a median of 7 months. In multivariate analysis primary, SRS ( P = .003) and smaller tumor volume ( P = .01) were associated with better symptom improvement. Adverse radiation events were documented in 29 patients (9%).

CONCLUSION

SRS was associated with long-term freedom (10 year) from additional management in 80% of patients. SRS proved to be a valuable salvage option after resection. When used as a primary management for smaller volume tumors, both clinical improvement and prevention of new deficits were optimized.

Schwannomas of Brain and Spinal Cord

Schwannomas are benign tumors originating from the Schwann cells of cranial or spinal nerves. The most common cranial schwannomas originate from the eight cranial nervevestibular schwannomas (VS). VS account for 6-8% of all intracranial tumors, 25-33% of the tumors localized in the posterior cranial fossa, and 80-94% of the tumors in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). Schwannomas of other cranial nerves/trigeminal, facial, and schwannomas of the lower cranial nerves/are much less frequent. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), intracranial and intraspinal schwannomas are classified as Grade I. Some VS are found incidentally, but most present with hearing loss (95%), tinnitus (63%), disequilibrium (61%), or headache (32%). The neurological symptoms of VSs are mainly due to compression on the surrounding structures, such as the cranial nerves and vessels, or the brainstem. The gold standard for the imaging diagnosis of VS is MRI scan. The optimal management of VSs remains controversial. There are three main management options-conservative treatment or "watch-and-wait" policy, surgical treatment, and radiotherapy in all its variations. Currently, surgery of VS is not merely a life-saving procedure. The functional outcome of surgery and the quality of life become issues of major importance. The most appropriate surgical approach for each patient should be considered according to some criteria including indications, risk-benefit ratio, and prognosis of each patient. The approaches to the CPA and VS removal are generally divided in posterior and lateral. The retrosigmoid suboccipital approach is a safe and simple approach, and it is favored for VS surgery in most neurosurgical centers. Radiosurgery is becoming more and more available nowadays and is established as one of the main treatment modalities in VS management. Radiosurgery (SRS) is performed with either Gamma knife, Cyber knife, or linear accelerator. Larger tumors are being increasingly frequently managed with combined surgery and radiosurgery. The main goal of VS management is preservation of neurological function - facial nerve function, hearing, etc. The reported recurrence rate after microsurgical tumor removal is 0.5-5%. Postoperative follow-up imaging is essential to diagnose any recurrence.

Can Trigeminal Schwannoma-Related Symptoms be Controlled With Gamma Knife Radiosurgery?

OBJECTIVE

The effectiveness of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for the management of trigeminal schwannomas (TS) has been established. Although GKRS has been shown to inhibit tumor growth, the effect of GKRS on the symptoms caused by TS has not been sufficiently studied. In this study, symptomatic changes following GKRS for the management of symptomatic TS were investigated using long-term follow-up results.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 32 patients with TS who underwent GKRS between May 1994 and December 2016. Clinical charts, radiographic results, and surgical records were reviewed. To evaluate whether symptoms improved after GKRS, patient demographics, GKRS profile, radiological tumor size change, and tumor location were analyzed.

RESULTS

Tumor control after GKRS for symptomatic TS was 87%. The improvement rates for facial pain at 6, 12, and 24 months after GKRS were 46%, 72%, and 86%, respectively. For the same time intervals, facial hypesthesia improved by 12%, 46%, and 52%, respectively. Of the patients with diplopia, 17% had improved symptoms 12 months after GKRS, and 50% of the patients improved after 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

GKRS can be an effective treatment modality for TS tumor control and shows favorable results in improving TS-related symptom, especially facial pain.

Thirty-year clinical experience in gamma knife radiosurgery for trigeminal schwannomas

We aimed to evaluate the radiographic and clinical outcomes after gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for trigeminal schwannomas (TSs). A total of 87 patients who underwent GKRS for TSs between 1990 and 2020 were enrolled. The mean tumor volume was 4.3 cm³. The median prescribed dose for the margins of the tumor was 13 Gy. The median follow-up duration was 64.3 months (range 12.0–311.5 months). The overall local tumor control rate was 90%, and the symptom response rate was 93%. The response rate for each symptom was 88% for facial pain, 97% for facial sensory change, and 86% for cranial nerve deficits. Nineteen (22%) patients showed transient swelling, which had regressed at the time of the last follow-up. Cystic tumors were associated with transient swelling (p = 0.04). A tumor volume of < 2.7 cm³ was associated with local tumor control in univariable analysis. Transient swelling was associated with symptom control failure in both univariable and multivariable analyses (p = 0.04, odds ratio 14.538). GKRS is an effective treatment for TSs, both for local control and symptom control.

Purely Endonasal Endoscopic Approaches for Extracranial Trigeminal Nerve Schwannoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of purely endonasal endoscopic resection of extracranial trigeminal schwannomas (TGSs), with assessment of surgical and clinical outcomes in order to identify optimal candidates for an endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA).

METHODS

A retrospective review of patient's records operated for TGSs between 2008 and 2021 was conducted. Patients operated with a purely EEA were included in this study. Pictures from a frozen fresh cadaver head dissection were used to demonstrate the surgical approach and to show anatomic relationships, complexity of the surgical area and safe corridors for surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 5 patients (4 females and 1 male) were operated for TGS. All patients had facial numbness (100%) as a presenting symptom, followed by facial pain in 2 patients (40%), and orbital pain in 1 (20%). Also, 3 patients (60%) had a tumor originating at the level of the foramen ovale and 2 (40%) at the foramen rotundum. The mean tumor diameter was 3,7 ± 2 cm. Gross total resection were achieved in all cases. Postoperatively, 1 patient had severe mastication problems, 1 had blurred vision, and in the long-term follow-up, 1 had frontal sinusitis. The mean follow up was 106.6 (min:49, max:132, SD: 29.82) months. No recurrences were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

In cases with the extradural TGS having limited extension into Posterior Cranial Fossa, or located in the Middle Cranial Fossa, a purely EEA is possible even for tumors bigger in size. Unilateral endonasal corridors are adequate for resection in most cases.

Clinical outcomes of benign brain tumors treated with single fraction LINAC-based stereotactic radiosurgery: Experience of a single institute

Objectives

Accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a noninvasive and effective treatment modality widely used for benign brain tumors. This study aims to report 20-year treatment outcomes in our institute.

Materials and Methods

From May 2001 to December 2020, 127 patients treated with LINAC-based single-fraction SRS for their benign brain lesions were included. A neurosurgeon and two radiation oncologists retrospectively reviewed all data. Computed tomography (CT) simulation was performed after head-frame fixation under local anesthesia. All planning CT images were co-registered and fused with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging taken within 3 months for lesions targeting and critical organs delineation. The marginal dose was prescribed at 60%-90% isodose lines, respectively, to cover ≥95% planning target volume. Outcome evaluations included clinical tumor control rate (TCR), defined as the need for salvage therapy, and radiological response, defined as no enlargement of >2 cm in the maximal diameter. Overall survival (OS) and adverse reaction (defined according to CTCAE 5.0) were also analyzed.

Results

The present study included 76 female and 51 male patients for analysis. The median age was 59 years (range, 20-88 years). Their diagnoses were vestibular schwannoma (VS, n = 54), nonvestibular cranial nerve schwannoma (n = 6), meningioma (n = 50), and pituitary adenoma (n = 17). Totally 136 lesions were treated in a single fraction, predominantly skull base tumors, accounting for 69.1%. Median and mean follow-up duration was 49 and 61 months (range, 1-214 months), Overall TCR was 92.9%. The 5-year disease-specific TCR for VS, nonvestibular schwannoma, meningioma, and pituitary adenoma were 97.4%, 91.7%, 93.8%, and 83.3%. Salvage therapy was indicated for eight patients at 4-110 months after SRS. Among symptomatic patients, post-SRS symptom(s) was improved, stable, and worse in 68.2%, 24.3%, and 3.6%, respectively. Radiological response rate for 111 evaluable patients was 94.6% (shrinkage, 28.8%; stable, 65.8%). OS was 96.1% without treatment-related mortality. One patient with post-SRS cranial nerve injury (0.8%, involving the trigeminal nerve, grade 2 toxicities). No grade 3-4 acute or late toxicity was found.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that LINAC-based SRS effectively controls tumor growth and tumor-related neurological symptoms for patients with benign brain tumors. SRS is less aggressive, associated with low neurological morbidity and no mortality. Continuous follow-up is indicated to conclude longer outcomes.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for trigeminal schwannomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has been deemed as the gold standard stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) mode for the treatment of intracranial tumors, cerebrovascular diseases and brain functional diseases. Our study was aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy, safety, and complications of gamma knife radiosurgery for trigeminal schwannomas.

METHOD

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the clinical outcomes of patients with trigeminal schwannomas treated primarily or adjunctly with GKRS. We searched two databases, Pubmed and Embase, for studies published before January 1, 2021, using GKRS for trigeminal schwannomas. Studies reporting treatment of other schwannomas, or other forms of SRS such as linear accelerator and Cyberknife were excluded to reduce its heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Our search achieved 351 studies, of which 35 were assessed for full-text eligibility. 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. 456 of 504 patients (0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.96, I² = 3.02%, p < 0.01) from 18 studies had local control, and 278 of 489 patients (0.63, 95%CI 0.48-0.78, I² = 88.75%, p < 0.01) from 16 studies experienced tumor regression or disappearance. 231 of 499 patients (0.50, 95% CI 0.37-0.62; I² = 83.89%, P < 0.01) from 17 studies had clinical symptoms improved. There was no significant difference in tumor control between those treated with GKRS as either primary treatment or adjuvant to surgery(p = 0.390).

CONCLUSION

GKRS is an efficacious primary and adjuvant method of treating trigeminal schwannomas, with reliable tumor control rates. Randomized controlled trials are needed to further and comprehensively evaluate the benefit-to-risk ratio of gamma knife radiosurgery.

Management of non-vestibular schwannomas in adult patients: a systematic review and consensus statement on behalf of the EANS skull base section Part II: Trigeminal and facial nerve schwannomas (CN V, VII)

BACKGROUND

Non-vestibular schwannomas are relatively rare, with trigeminal and jugular foramen schwannomas being the most common. This is a heterogenous group which requires detailed investigation and careful consideration to management strategy. The optimal management for these tumours remains unclear and there are several controversies. The aim of this paper is to provide insight into the main principles defining management and surgical strategy, in order to formulate a series of recommendations.

METHODS

A task force was created by the EANS skull base section committee along with its members and other renowned experts in the field to generate recommendations for the surgical management of these tumours on a European perspective. To achieve this, the task force performed an extensive systematic review in this field and had discussions within the group. This article is the second of a three-part series describing non-vestibular schwannomas (V, VII).

RESULTS

A summary of literature evidence was proposed after discussion within the EANS skull base section. The constituted task force dealt with the practice patterns that exist with respect to pre-operative radiological investigations, ophthalmological assessments, optimal surgical and radiotherapy strategies, and follow-up management.

CONCLUSION

This article represents the consensually derived opinion of the task force with respect to the treatment of trigeminal and facial schwannoma. The aim of treatment is maximal safe resection with preservation of function. Careful thought is required to select the appropriate surgical approach. Most middle fossa trigeminal schwannoma tumours can be safely accessed by a subtemporal extradural middle fossa approach. The treatment of facial nerve schwannoma remains controversial.

Less common extracerebral tumors

This chapter examines the results of GKNS on a variety of extraparenchymal skull base tumors some benign and some malignant. For the benign tumors there is good evidence on the effectiveness of the method for pretty much all diagnoses. For malignant extraparenchymal tumors the results are more limited and GKNS only has a supportive role in these lesions.

Long-term outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery for skull base tumors involving the cavernous sinus

PURPOSE

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an effective and less invasive therapeutic option for cavernous sinus (CS) tumors. However, its long-term effectiveness and neurological outcomes have yet to be fully elucidated. We aimed to examine the long-term outcomes of SRS for CS tumors.

METHODS

Overall, a cohort of 113 patients with benign CS tumors, including 91 with meningioma, 14 with trigeminal schwannoma (TS), and eight with cavernous hemangioma, treated with SRS at our institution from 1990 to 2018, was included. Tumor control and functional preservation/recovery were evaluated in detail.

RESULTS

The median post-SRS follow-up period was 77 months (interquartile range, 39-177). Progression-free survival (PFS) was 97% at 5 years, 89% at 10 years, and 87% at 15 years for the entire cohort; 96% at 5 years and 87% at 10 years for meningiomas; and 100% at 10 years for the other tumors. No significant difference was observed between meningiomas and non-meningiomas (log-rank test, p = 0.107). Improvement in cranial nerve (CN) function was observed in 35 (27%) patients. TSs tended to show CN improvements more often than meningiomas did (total improvements, 62% vs. 23%; p = 0.004; eye movement function, 100% vs. 20%; p = 0.002). CN deterioration or development of new CN deficits was observed in 11 (10%) patients.

CONCLUSION

SRS provides good tumor control and acceptable long-term outcome with sufficient preservation of CN function in patients with benign CS tumors.

Clinical and Imaging Response to Trigeminal Schwannoma Radiosurgery: A Retrospective Analysis of a 28-Year Experience

Objective  The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes and tumor control after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for trigeminal schwannoma (TS). Methods  During a 28-year period (1989-2017), 50 patients underwent SRS for TS. The median patient age was 51 years (range: 15-87 years). A total of 17 patients had a previous tumor resection: 10 had a single procedure, 5 had two procedures, and 2 had three procedures. The median and mean times between tumor resection and SRS were 12 and 24 months (range: 1-90 months), respectively. Four patients had neurofibromatosis II (NF2). Based on location, tumors were classified as root type (7), ganglion type (22), or dumbbell type (21). The median radiosurgery target volume was 3.4 cm ³ (range: 0.10-18 cm ³ ), median target dose was 14 Gy (range: 12-20 Gy), and the median number of isocenters was 6 (range: 1-15). The median and mean times to last follow-up was 36.9 and 55.2 months (range: 4-205 months), respectively. Eighteen patients (36%) had longer than 5-year follow-up, and seven patients (14%) had longer than 10-year follow-up. Results  The tumor control rate was 92% and the clinical improvement or stabilization rate was 94%. After SRS, the rates of progression free survival (PFS) at 1, 5, and 10 years were 98, 84, and 84%, respectively. Factors associated with improved PFS were female sex ( p  = 0.014) and smaller tumor volume ( p  = 0.022). In this series, we did not find that tumor type (root, ganglion, and dumbbell) had a statistically significant correlation to PFS. Forty-seven patients had neurological signs or symptoms at presentation. At last follow-up, neurological signs or symptoms improved in 22/47 (47%), remained unchanged in 24/50 (48%), and worsened due to tumor progression in 3/50 (6%). One patient (2%) developed temporary symptomatic adverse radiation effect (ARE) and three additional patients (6%) had transient imaging evidence of peritumoral reactive edema but no new symptoms. Conclusion  As a single outpatient procedure, SRS was associated with long-term freedom from additional management in 84% of patients. Nearly half the treated patients experienced improvement in neurological symptoms or signs.

Surgical Management of Jugular Foramen Schwannomas

Simple Summary

Treatments of jugular foramen schwannomas may be challenging due to critical anatomical relations and the involvement of different aspects of the skull base. Advances in microsurgery have led to improved outcomes over recent decades, whereas in contrast, some advocate stereotactic radiotherapy as an effective therapy, controlling the tumor volume with few complications. In this manuscript, we present the outcomes and adverse events in a contemporary cohort and discuss surgical advantages and disadvantages of different performed classic skull base approaches.

Abstract

Background: Resection of jugular foramen schwannomas (JFSs) with minimal cranial nerve (CN) injury remains difficult. Reoperations in this vital region are associated with severe CN deficits. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis at a tertiary neurosurgical center of patients who underwent surgery for JFSs between June 2007 and May 2020. We included nine patients (median age 60 years, 77.8% female, 22.2% male). Preoperative symptoms included hearing loss (66.6%), headache (44.4%), hoarseness (33.3%), dysphagia (44.4%), hypoglossal nerve palsy (22.2%), facial nerve palsy (33.3%), extinguished gag reflex (22.2%), and cerebellar dysfunction (44.4%). We observed Type A, B, C, and D tumors in 3, 1, 1, and 4 patients, respectively. A total of 77.8% (7/9) underwent a retrosigmoid approach, and 33.3% (3/9) underwent an extreme lateral infrajugular transcondylar (ELITE) approach. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in all cases. The rate of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus was 22.2% (2/9). No further complications requiring surgical intervention occurred during follow-up. The median follow-up time was 16.5 months (range 3–84 months). Conclusions: Considering the satisfying outcome, the GTR of JFSs is feasible in performing well-known skull base approaches. Additional invasive and complicated approaches were not needed. Radiosurgery may be an effective alternative for selected patients.

Surgical Outcome of Trigeminal Schwannomas

Simple Summary

Trigeminal schwannomas are the most common among non-vestibular schwannomas. Treatment of trigeminal schwannomas may be challenging due to critical anatomical relations and involvement of different aspects of the skull base. Advances in microsurgery have led to improved outcomes over the last decades, whereas in contrast, some advocate stereotactic radiotherapy as an effective therapy, controlling the tumor volume with few complications. In this manuscript, we present outcome and adverse events in a contemporary cohort of trigeminal schwannomas and discuss surgical advantages and disadvantages of different performed classic skull-base approaches.

Abstract

(1) Background: As resection of trigeminal schwannomas is challenging, due to anatomical involvement of the anterior, middle and posterior fossa, the appropriate approach is important. We report our experience with surgical resection of trigeminal schwannomas by simple and classic skull-base approaches. (2) Methods: We performed a retrospective single-center study including patients who underwent surgery for trigeminal schwannoma tumors between June 2007 and May 2020, concentrating on surgical technique, extent of resection, postoperative outcome and complications. (3) Results: We included 13 patients (median age 57.5 with range of 36-83 years, 53.8% (7/13) female. The most common preoperative clinical presentations were facial pain in six (46.2%), hypoacusis in four (30.8%), trigeminal nerve hypesthesia in 11 (V1 46.2% (6/13), V2 (61.5% (8/13), V3 46.2% (6/13)) and headache in three (23.1%) patients. In three cases, the tumor was resected in a two-stage technique. The intradural subtemporal approach was performed in six cases, the extradural technique in two cases, the retrosigmoid approach in five cases, a Kawase approach in two cases and the transnasal endoscopic approach in one case. The gross total resection rate was 76.9% (10/13) and the median follow-up time 24.0 (0–136) months. Three (23.1%) patients developed postoperative anesthesia in at least one branch of the trigeminal nerve. Trigeminal motor function was preserved in 11 (84.6%) patients. Ten of the 11 patients (76.9%) who reported decreased gustation, cerebellar ataxia, visual impairment, or headache improved postoperatively. Two (15.4%) patients exhibited minimal facial palsy (House and Brackmann II–III), which resolved during the follow-up. The total adverse event rate requiring surgical intervention during follow-up was 7.7%. Surgery-related mortality was 0%. (4) Conclusions: Trigeminal schwannomas are rare benign lesions with intra- and extracranial extension. Considering the low operative morbidity and satisfying functional outcome, gross total resection of trigeminal schwannomas is achievable by classic, but also individually tailored approaches. More invasive or combined techniques were not needed with meticulous surgical planning.

Long-Term Outcomes of Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Trigeminal, Facial, and Jugular Foramen Schwannoma in Comparison with Vestibular Schwannoma

Simple Summary

Intracranial schwannomas are benign intracranial neoplasms. Vestibular schwannomas (VS) account for 90% of intracranial schwannomas; whereas the other cranial nerve schwannomas, such as trigeminal (TS), facial (FS), and jugular foramen schwannoma (JFS), account for 10% of all cases. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a minimally invasive treatment for small to medium VS and known to provide excellent long-term tumor control; however, there remains a paucity of evidence regarding SRS for TS, FS, and JFS due to the rarity of these tumors. We investigated the radiosurgical outcomes of these non-vestibular schwannomas and compared them to those of VS through matched cohort analysis.

Abstract

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is known to provide excellent tumor control with functional preservation for vestibular schwannomas (VS), but its efficacy in the other major intracranial schwannomas including trigeminal (TS), facial (FS), and jugular foramen schwannomas (JFS) has not been established yet due to their rarity. We retrospectively analyzed data of 514 consecutive patients who had intracranial schwannomas (460 VS, 22 TS, 7 FS, and 25 JFS) and underwent SRS. The 5- and 10-year tumor control rates were 97% and 94% for VS, 100% and 100% for TS, 80% and 80% for FS, and 100% and 80% for JFS. Radiation-induced complications included one hydrocephalus for TS (4.5%), no cases for FS (0%), and one hydrocephalus and one lower palsy for JFS (8.0%). Through matched cohort analysis between patients with VS and each of the non-VS, we found no statistical difference in tumor control and radiation-induced adverse events. SRS seems to provide long-term tumor control with functional preservation for TS, FS and JFS and the efficacies are similar to VS.

Trends in the Management of Non-Vestibular Skull Base and Intracranial Schwannomas

The aim of this review is to analyze the latest trends in the management of non-vestibular skull base and intracranial schwannomas in order to optimize tumor control and quality of life. Non-vestibular cranial nerve schwannomas are rare lesions, representing 5–10% of cranial nerve schwannomas. Management decisions should be individualized depending on tumor size, location and associated functional deficits. Generally, large sized schwannomas exerting significant mass effect with increased intracranial pressure are treated surgically. In some cases, even after optimal skull base resection, it is not possible to achieve a gross total resection because tumor location and extent and/or to reduce morbidity. Thus, subtotal resection followed by stereotactic radiosurgery or fractioned radiotherapy offers an alternative approach. In certain cases, stereotactic radiosurgery or radiotherapy alone achieves good tumor control rates and less morbidity to gross total resection. Finally, given the slow growth rate of most of these tumors, observation with periodic radiographic follow-up approach is also a reasonable alternative for small tumors with few, if any, symptoms.

Tumor control and trigeminal dysfunction improvement after stereotactic radiosurgery for trigeminal schwannomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Trigeminal nerve schwannomas (TS) are uncommon intracranial tumors, frequently presenting with debilitating trigeminal and/or oculomotor nerve dysfunction. While surgical resection has been described, its morbidity and mortality rates are non-negligible. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has emerged with variable results as a valuable alternative. Here, we aimed at reviewing the medical literature on TS treated with SRS so as to investigate rates of tumor control and symptomatic improvement. We reviewed manuscripts published between January 1990 and December 2019 on PubMed. Tumor control and symptomatic improvement rates were evaluated with separate meta-analyses. This meta-analysis included 18 studies comprising a total of 564 patients. Among them, only one reported the outcomes of linear accelerators (Linac), while the others of GK. Tumor control rates after SRS were 92.3% (range 90.1–94.5; p < 0.001), and tumor decrease rates were 62.7% (range 54.3–71, p < 0.001). Tumor progression rates were 9.4% (range 6.8–11.9, p < 0.001). Clinical improvement rates of trigeminal neuralgia were 63.5% (52.9–74.1, p < 0.001) and of oculomotor nerves were 48.2% (range 36–60.5, p < 0.001). Clinical worsening rate was 10.7% (range 7.6–13.8, p < 0.001). Stereotactic radiosurgery for TS is associated with high tumor control rates and favorable clinical outcomes, especially for trigeminal neuralgia and oculomotor nerves. However, patients should be correctly advised about the risk of tumor progression and potential clinical worsening. Future clinical studies should focus on standard reporting of clinical outcomes.

"Apoplectic" Recurrence of Massive Trigeminal Neurinomas: Report of 7 Cases

OBJECTIVE

The pattern of recurrence of large trigeminal neurinomas is analyzed on the basis of experience with 7 cases.

METHODS

This is a report of 7 cases of large trigeminal neurinomas that were operated on an average of 11 years earlier. After being relatively asymptomatic over the years, these patients worsened relatively suddenly in their neurologic symptoms and were reoperated.

RESULTS

Imaging showed massive recurrence with tumor having cystic and solid components with sizes ranging from 4.5-11 cm. In 4 cases, the cysts at the time of initial presentation and at the time of recurrence showed a well-defined fluid level within the fluid content of the cyst. During operation it was seen that the tumor contained "hemorrhagic" fluid that was under significant pressure. The solid component in the circumferential periphery of the cyst fluid was soft, necrotic, and vascular. The entire recurrence in the middle and posterior cranial fossa and in the extracranial compartment was "interdural" or within the dural confines. Radical tumor resection within the dural confines by deploying relatively small surgical exposure resulted in "unusually" rapid recovery in the symptoms. Histological examination of the tumor did not reveal any malignant transformation.

CONCLUSIONS

The cases add further insight to the growth pattern and characteristics of large trigeminal neurinomas.

Single-stage endoscopic endonasal approach for the complete removal of trigeminal schwannomas occupying both the middle and posterior fossae

To introduce a purely endoscopic endonasal trans-Meckel's cave approach or a transclival approach for trigeminal schwannomas (TSs) involving both the middle and posterior fossae. This retrospective study reviewed the medical records and intraoperative videos of 8 patients with TSs occupying both the middle and posterior fossae who underwent an endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) between January 2017 and October 2019. All 8 patients received total resection under a single-stage EEA. Six patients underwent endoscopic endonasal resection via a purely trans-Meckel's cave approach, and 2 patients underwent endoscopic endonasal resection via a trans-Meckel's cave approach combined with a transclival approach. There was no surgical-related hemorrhage or mortality and no cerebrospinal fluid leakage. All headache symptoms completely improved postoperatively (n = 3 patients). All cranial nerve (CN) symptoms (CN IX and CN VI) improved postoperatively. The most common preoperative symptom was facial numbness (n = 5 patients); 2 of these 5 patients showed a partial improvement, 1 patient experienced worsening, and 2 patients remained unchanged at the last follow-up. Four patients developed postoperative complications, including CN VI palsy (n = 2), dry eye (n = 2), mastication weakness (n = 1), and facial numbness (n = 2). All complications except for dry eye were relieved at the last follow-up, but the patients with dry eye did not develop corneal keratopathy. The endoscopic endonasal trans-Meckel's cave and transclival approaches provide adequate exposure and improve the rate of total resection for TSs occupying both the middle and posterior fossae with minimal invasion. It may be possible to use these approaches as a safe alternative to conventional surgical approaches.

Intracavernous Hemangiopericytoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Intracavernous hemangiopericytoma/solitary fibrous tumor is an extremely rare tumor, with only seven cases reported. We present a case of intracavernous hemangiopericytoma/solitary fibrous tumor and review all cases reported in the literature. A 67-year-old man experienced numbness over the left half of the face. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left intracavernous tumor extending into Meckel’s cave and the posterior fossa. We performed gamma knife surgery (GKS) which a prescribed dose to the tumor of 12 Gy, but tumor recurred 43 months after GKS. We performed partial tumor resection via a subtemporal interdural approach. The pathological diagnosis was hemangiopericytoma. Postoperatively, we performed second GKS with a prescribed dose of 15 Gy. Diplopia and ptosis improved markedly and the tumor initially reduced in size, but tumor regrowth was seen again 29 months after second GKS. Third GKS was performed with a prescribed dose of 15 Gy. Recurrence was not seen at 18 months after third GKS, but was identified about 2 years after third GKS. We performed fourth GKS with a prescribed dose to the residual tumor of 16 Gy. We report a rare case of intracavernous hemangiopericytoma originating in the cavernous sinus, but distinguishing between hemangiopericytoma and schwannoma is difficult for round, intracavernous tumors showing homogeneous enhancement without flow voids. GKS might be one of the options for residual and recurrent intracavernous hemangiopericytomas.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Neurosurgical Patients: A Historical Review and Current Perspectives

Today, stereotactic radiosurgery is an effective therapy for a variety of intracranial pathology that were treated solely with open neurosurgery in the past. The technique was developed from the combination of therapeutic radiation and stereotactic devices for the precise localization of intracranial targets. Although stereotactic radiosurgery was originally performed as a partnership between neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists, this partnership has weakened in recent years, with some procedures being performed without neurosurgeons. At the same time, neurosurgeons across the United States and Canada have found their stereotactic radiosurgery training during residency inadequate. Although neurosurgeons, residency directors, and department chairs agree that stereotactic radiosurgery education and exposure during neurosurgery training could be improved, a limited number of resources exist for this kind of education. This review describes the history of stereotactic radiosurgery, assesses the state of its use and education today, and provides recommendations for the improvement of neurosurgical education in stereotactic radiosurgery for the future.