Surgical Management of Tuberculum Sellae Meningioma: Our Experience and Review of the Literature

Comparative Efficacy of Transsphenoidal and Transcranial Approaches for Treating Tuberculum Sellae Meningiomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: Tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) constitute 5-10% of intracranial meningiomas, often causing visual impairment. Traditional microsurgical transcranial approaches (MTAs) have been effective, but the emergence of innovative surgical trajectories, such as endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs), has sparked debate. While EEAs offer advantages like reduced brain retraction, they are linked to higher cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF leak) risk. This meta-analysis aims to comprehensively compare the efficacy and safety of EEAs and MTAs for the resection of TSMs, offering insights into their respective outcomes and complications. Methods: A comprehensive literature review of the databases PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Ovid EMBASE was conducted for articles published on TSMs treated with either EEA or MTA until 2024. The systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled event rates and assess heterogeneity. Fixed- and random-effects were used to assess 95% confidential intervals (CIs) of presenting symptoms, outcomes, and complications. Results: A total of 291 papers were initially identified, of which 18 studies spanning from 2000 to 2024 met the inclusion criteria. The exclusion of 180 articles was due to reasons such as irrelevance, non-reporting of selected results, systematic literature review or meta-analysis, and a lack of details on method/results. The 18 studies comprised a total sample of 1093 patients: 444 patients who underwent EEAs and 649 patients who underwent MTAs for TSMs. Gross total resection (GTR) rates ranged from 80.9% for EEAs to 79.8% for MTAs. The rate of visual improvement was 86.6% in the EEA group and 65.4% in the MTA group. The recurrence rate in the EEA group was 6.9%, while it was 5.1% in MTA group. The postoperative complications analyzed were CSF leak, infections, dysosmia, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and endocrine disorders. The rate of CSF leak was 9.8% in the EEA group and 2.1% in MTA group. The rate of infections in the EEA group was 5.7%, while it was 3.7% in the MTA group. The rate of dysosmia ranged from 10.3% for MTAs to 12.9% for EEAs. The rate of ICH in the EEA group was 0.9%, while that in the MTA group was 3.8%. The rate of endocrine disorders in the EEA group was 10.8%, while that in the MTA group was 10.2%. No significant difference was detected in the rate of GTR between the EEA and MTA groups (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.7-0.95; p = 0.53), while a significant benefit in visual outcomes was shown in EEAs (OR 3.54, 95% CI 2.2-5.72; p < 0.01). There was no significant variation in the recurrence rate between EEA and MTA groups (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.19-4.46; p = 0.89). While a considerably increased chance of CSF leak from EEAs was shown (OR 4.47, 95% CI 2.52-7.92; p < 0.01), no significant difference between EEA and MTA groups was detected in the rate of infections (OR 1.92, 95% CI 0.73-5.06; p = 0.15), the rate of dysosmia (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.31-4.99; p = 0.71), the rate of ICH (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.20-1.87; p = 0.33), and the rate of endocrine disorders (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.69-1.95; p = 0.53). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that both EEAs and MTAs are viable options for TSM resection, with distinct advantages and drawbacks. The EEAs demonstrate superior visual outcomes in selected cases while GTR and recurrence rates support the overall effectiveness of MTAs and EEAs. Endoscopic endonasal approaches had a higher chance of CSF leaks, but there are no appreciable variations in other complications. These results provide additional insights regarding patient outcomes in the intricate clinical setting of TSMs.

Superior Hypophyseal Artery Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiogram as a Predictor of Postoperative Visual Function After Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To date, there are no tools to intraoperatively predict postoperative visual function after endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) for suprasellar lesions. The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the utility of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography as an intraoperative tool to measure optic chiasm perfusion and determine its relationship with postoperative visual function.

METHODS

Videos of patients undergoing EES for resection of suprasellar lesions were reviewed, where 5 mg of ICG was diluted in 10 mL of saline and administered. Time between luminescence of the anterior cerebral artery and the superior hypophyseal artery branches supplying the optic chiasm was noted, and the percentage of optic chiasm vessels that luminesced was recorded. Postoperative examinations and imaging studies were used to assess visual function. Patients with and without new deficits were compared with examination of trends in ICG findings.

RESULTS

A total of 7 trials were reviewed on 6 patients, with no complications occurring from ICG administration. Mean time to chiasm peak luminescence was 3.8 seconds, and 81.8% of chiasm vessels luminesced. Patients with stable or improved vision after resection demonstrated over 90% chiasm luminescence in every case, and mean chiasm time in these postresection ICG administrations was 4.0 seconds. One patient experienced new postoperative visual deficits; on review of their ICG administration, 11.5% of chiasm vessels luminesced, and the chiasm itself failed to display robust luminescence after 30 seconds of direct observation.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study showed the capability of intraoperative ICG angiography to demonstrate perfusion of the optic chiasm during EES for resection of suprasellar lesions. While larger studies are required, preliminary results suggest chiasm times under 5 seconds and over 90% chiasm vessel illumination may reflect adequate chiasm perfusion, while those with delayed or absent chiasm luminescence may have compromised chiasm perfusion.

Comparative analysis of outcomes following craniotomy and expanded endoscopic endonasal approach resection of tuberculum sellae meningiomas: a single-institution study

Background

Traditionally, supratentorial craniotomy has been used to sever tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs), but there has been a remarkably increasing tendency of extended endoscopic endonasal approach (EEEA) used to treat TSMs in the recent decade. Several documents have described the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, but there is no consensus on whether one is superior to the other.

Objective

This study aimed to compare surgical outcomes between craniotomy and EEEA for TSMS treated at our institution.

Methods

From January 2015 to December 2021, a total of 84 cases of TSMs were included in this study. Cases were separated into two groups: the craniotomy group and the EEEA group. Their anamneses and surgical records were reviewed. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, tumor volume, extent of resection, visual outcomes, and follow-up data were tabulated. The Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed for the PFS for both cohorts.

Results

Complete data were available for 84 surgeries; 39 cases were treated via craniotomy, and 45 were treated via EEEA. Patient demographic data, pre-operative symptoms, and tumor characteristics were similar between the two cohorts. The extent of resection was similar between the two groups (GTR: 91.11% EEEA vs. 87.18% craniotomy; STR 8.89 vs. 12.82%, p = 0.91). There was no difference in visual outcomes between both groups (92.1 vs. 84.84%, p = 0.46). An increased rate of cranial nerve injury was noted in the craniotomy group (0 vs. 10.25%, p = 0.04). Post-operative CSF leak rate occurred in one patient in the EEEA group. The PFS curves (p = 0.52) and recurrence/progression rates (13.33 vs. 20.51%, p = 0.39) were similar between the two groups.

Conclusion

Both EEEA and craniotomy can successfully sever TSMs. The recurrence/progression rate and PFS appear to be similar between the two groups. Although there are no differences in EOR and visual outcomes between the two groups, there was a clear trend in the EEEA group to obtain a better outcome. CSF leakage was common in the EEEA cohort, whereas the rate of cranial nerve injury was found to be higher in the craniotomy cohort. We believe that our data support the conclusion that EEEA surgery is the preferred approach for the removal of TSMs.

Keyhole supraorbital eyebrow approach for fully endoscopic resection of tuberculum sellae meningioma

Background

The fully endoscopic supraorbital trans-eyebrow keyhole approach is a technique utilized for the transcranial resection of tuberculum sellae meningioma (TSM). Surgery is the first choice for TSM treatment. This study aimed to summarize and analyze the safety, feasibility, limitations, and technical requirements of the fully endoscopic supraorbital trans-eyebrow keyhole approach for TSM resection.

Methods

Data of 19 TSM fully endoscopic supraorbital trans-eyebrow keyhole approach resections cases (six and 13 on the left and right eyebrows, respectively) were retrospectively analyzed at the Neurosurgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College (Bengbu, China) from August 2015 to March 2022.

Results

All 19 patients were diagnosed with meningioma (World Health Organization grade I), and according to the scope of tumor resection (EOR), 18 patients (94.7%) had gross total resection (GTR), and one patient (5.3%) had near-total resection (NTR). Preoperative chief complaints were symptomatic visual dysfunction (n = 12), headache and dizziness (n = 6), and accidental discovery (n = 1). Postoperative visual function improved in 83.3% of cases (10/12), and headache and dizziness were relieved in 83.3% of cases (5/6 patients). Postoperative intracranial infection occurred in one case and was cured by external drainage of the lumbar cistern and anti-infective treatment. Two cases of frontal lobe injury were discharged after conservative treatment. There was no postoperative olfactory dysfunction, eyelid ptosis, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, or death. There were no reports of disease recurrence or death during the 3-month follow-up at an outpatient clinic or by telephone.

Conclusion

Fully endoscopic TSM resection through the keyhole approach is safe and feasible. It can be used to explore angles that cannot be seen under a microscope and show the true value of endoscopy technology. The endoscopic equipment and technical skills of the surgeon and surgical team are important in this technique.

Risk Factors for Postoperative Brain Contusion and Early Outcomes in Patients with Anterior Skull Base Meningiomas Undergoing Unifrontal Surgery: Single Center Experience with 110 Patients

Background

Though frontal lobe contusion is a major cause for morbidity and prolonged hospitalization following excision of anterior skull base meningiomas, there is only limited literature on this complication. This study aimed to find out the incidence of postoperative frontal lobe contusion, identify the risk factors for its development and its impact on early postoperative outcome.

Methods

Data from 110 patients who underwent excision of anterior skull base meningiomas through a unilateral supraorbital craniotomy from 2001 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors analyzed for development of postoperative contusion were tumor location, size, volume, peritumoral edema, tumor consistency, extent of resection, tumor grade and type of retraction used.

Results

Simpson grade II excision was achieved in ninety-two patients (83.6%). There was no frontal lobe contusion in eighty-two patients (74.5%). Frontal lobe contusion was noted in twenty-eight patients (25.5%), but was severe in only four patients (3.6%). On multivariate analysis, fixed retractor use (OR 11.56 [1.21-110.03]; P =0.03) and WHO grade II tumor (OR 3.29 [1.11-9.77]; P =0.03) were independently associated with postoperative frontal lobe contusion. Patients with higher contusion grade had significantly longer postoperative hospitalization (P =.02) and lower KPS score at discharge (P =.01).

Conclusions

Unilateral supraorbital craniotomy and lateral subfrontal approach is an excellent procedure for excision of anterior skull base meningiomas with minimal postoperative complications related to frontal lobe retraction. Frontal lobe contusion should be avoided with the use of dynamic retraction, since postoperative contusion prolongs hospitalization and worsens the functional outcome at discharge.

Surgical management of tuberculum sellae meningioma: Transcranial approach or endoscopic endonasal approach?

Background

Tuberculum sellae meningioma (TSM), a common benign tumor in the sellae region, usually causes neurological deficits, such as vision impairment, by squeezing the peripheral neurovascular structures. Surgical management is recommended as the optimal strategy for TSM treatment and vision restoration. However, it remains challenging to resect TSM in the traditional transcranial approach (TCA). Recently, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has emerged as an effective option in skull base surgeries. Besides the effectivity, the advantages and limitations of EEA in TSM surgery remain controversial.

Object

We compared the surgical outcomes and complications between TCA and EEA surgeries to identify the principles in TSM surgical management.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was performed on the patients, who underwent TSM surgery in Wuhan Union Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021. The patients were assigned to TCA or EEA group according to the surgery they experienced. All patients were analyzed with the extent of tumor resection, vision outcome, postoperative complications, and follow-up results.

Results

A total of 112 patients were enrolled in this study, including 78 in TCA group and 34 in EEA group. The mean follow-up was 20.5 months (range 3–36 months). There were no statistically significant differences in patient demographic data, preoperative symptoms, and tumor characteristics between TCA and EEA groups. Both TCA and EEA surgeries are effective in TSM resection with relatively high gross total resection rates (85.9% in TCA vs. 91.2% in EEA, p > .05). Meanwhile, EEA surgery has a better outcome in vision restoration or stabilization than TCA surgery (74.6% in TCA vs. 93.1% in EEA, p < .05). Whereas EEA surgery causes more occurrences of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage than TCA surgery (0% in TCA vs. 11.8% in EEA, p < .05).

Conclusion

Both TCA and EEA surgeries are effective in TSM resection. EEA surgery has a better outcome in vision restoration or stabilization than TCA surgery, but induces higher risk of CSF leakage. As each approach has unique advantages and limitations, we must take all aspects into consideration, including approach feathers, tumor characteristics, and clinical requirements, to make the optimal choice in TSM surgical management.