Meningiomas arising from the falcotentorial junction are extremely rare. The authors describe the clinical features, neuroimaging studies, and results of surgical treatment of meningiomas of the falcotentorial junction and clarify the characteristics of this lesion based on a review of the literature and seven patients treated at their institution. The most common symptoms resulted from intracranial hypertension. Upward-gaze palsy appeared in only one patient. Computerized tomography (CT) showed no specific findings, but there was no evidence of edema around the tumor. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a round, smooth-bordered mass with a peritumoral rim, without edema, and showing marked contrast enhancement. The multiplanar capability of MR imaging delineated the relationship between the tumor and adjacent structures better than did CT. Detailed knowledge of the vascular structures, especially evidence of occlusion of the galenic venous system and the development of collateral venous channels, is critical for successful surgery; stereoscopic cerebral angiography is necessary to achieve this aim. The seven patients described developed five types of collateral venous channels: through the basal vein of Rosenthal to the petrosal vein, through the veins on the medial surface of the parietal and occipital lobes to the superior sagittal sinus, through superficial anastomotic veins, through veins of the posterior fossa to the transverse or straight sinus, and through the falcian veins to the superior sagittal sinus. The first three types mainly developed after occlusion of the galenic system. The tumors were removed through the occipital transtentorial approach with a large window at the posterior part of the falx. A favorable prognosis for patients undergoing surgical treatment of falcotentorial junction meningiomas can be expected if detailed neuroimaging studies and microsurgical techniques are used.

Meningiomas arising from the falcotentorial junction. Clinical features, neuroimaging studies, and surgical treatment.

Meningiomas of the falcotentorial junction: selection of the surgical approach according to the tumor type.

OBJECTIVE: Meningiomas arising from the falcotentorial junction are relatively rare, and the description of the surgical nuances in approaching these tumors is limited. We describe our surgical management of these lesions in detail. METHODS: From 2001 to 2005, 9 patients underwent operation for meningiomas aris- ing from the falcotentorial junction, with some extending to and/or invading the torcula. All patients were assessed preoperatively with magnetic resonance neuroimaging and cerebral angiography. Furthermore, preoperative embolization was attempted in all cases. A supratentorial/infratentorial torcular craniotomy technique was used in all butt 1 of these cases. RESULTS: The average dimensions of the falcotentorial meningiomas were 5.1 × 4.4 x 4.2 cm. The angiograms revealed that these tumors were fed by branches of the inter- nal carotid artery, choroidal arteries, branches of the meningohypophyseal trunk, and branches of the posterior cerebral artery. Preoperative embolization was achieved in only 2 patients. Five patients had gross total resection (Simpson grade 1), and 4 had subtotal resection (Simpson grade 4). Two of the tumors (22%) recurred during a mean follow-up period of 49 months (range, 17―88 months). The most common complication after surgery was cortical blindness, but all postoperative visual deficits had fully recovered at the last follow-up evaluation within several months. CONCLUSION: An excel lent outcome can be expected with detailed preoperative neuroimaging and knowledge of the nuances of the surgical technique that we describe in detail in this article.

Surgical considerations in the management of falcotentorial meningiomas: advantages of the bilateral occipital transtentorial/transfalcine craniotomy for large tumors.

Surgical options in the management of falcotentorial meningiomas: report of 13 cases

The venous variations of the galenic system were evaluated using three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) to assess the influence on the occipital transtentorial approach in 150 patients who underwent 3D-CTA as a routine screening examination for cerebrovascular diseases. The variations of the vein of Galen with its tributaries, the tentorial sinus, and the veins around the tentorium were evaluated in multiple intensity projections and stereoscopic images. The angle between the vein of Galen and the straight sinus was 67.1 ± 31.9° (mean ± SD). Observation of the pineal body from the direction of the approach tended to extend to the quadrigeminal bodies in acute angle cases, and to the third ventricle in obtuse angle cases. Bilateral internal cerebral veins (ICVs) joined in the anterior portion were associated with a long vein of Galen, or in the posterior portion with a short vein of Galen. The distance between the bilateral ICVs was 4.66 ± 2.28 mm (mean ± SD), and the shape of the space could be classified as spindle, parallel, hairpin, and round types. The basal vein could be classified into well-developed, hypoplastic, hardly recognized, and mimicking two basal veins because the tributary did not join but ran parallel to the basal vein. The drainage pathways lead to the anterior or posterior portion of the vein of Galen, the ICV, the tentorial sinus, and the superior petrosal sinus. The various types of the tentorial sinus and primitive tentorial sinus which might be sacrificed during section of the tentorium were confirmed. The inferior cerebral vein draining to the tentorial sinus could be seen. 3D-CTA could also demonstrate the presence, the course, and the drainage points of the internal occipital vein, the precentral cerebellar vein, the posterior pericallosal vein, and so on. 3D-CTA is useful to evaluate the variations of the venous system and the relationship with the tumor, and for preoperative simulation and intraoperative navigation of the occipital transtentorial approach.

Levin P

Papers

Meningioma of the falx-tentorial angle with successful removal: a case report.