ABSTRACT
Objective To probe the value of multi-slice spiral CT angiography (MSCTA) in decreasing surgical trauma of the cranial base meningioma. Methods Thirty-two patients with cranial base meningioma were examined preoperatively with MSCTA to observe the shape and the relationship with the adjacent vessels and the skull base. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed to imitate the approach of operation and compared with surgical findings. Meanwhile, 22 patients withnot MSCTA were selected randomly as control group. The amount of blood transfusion and the occurrence rate of complications were compared between the two groups. Results MSCTA depiceted clear three dimensional images of the meningioma and the relationship with the adjacent vessels and the skull base, corresponded very well to the surgery. By imitating the operation, all patients were designed the incision size of bone appropriately, the vessels of peritumoral were kept off effectively and the risk of the embedded vascular were assessed accurately. The conventional surgical approach and method were changed in 9 patients, 4 formulated the planning of the sub-total resection and radiotherapy preoperatively. Compared with control group, the amount of blood transfusion reduced significantly (P<0.05) and postoperative complications decreased. Conclusion MSCTA can imitate the surgical operations in multi-angle and supply the vital information for choosing the proper surgical approach, thereby reducing surgical trauma and postoperative complications.