Tuberculum sellae meningioma surgery: visual outcomes and surgical aspects of contralateral approach.

The main purpose of surgery for tuberculum sellae meningioma (TSM) is the improvement and/or stabilization of patients' visual function. Options for the side of lateral approaches usually were restricted for nondominant right-sided craniotomy or to the side of impaired vision (ipsilateral approaches). Although the safety and effectiveness of ipsilateral transcranial approach was proved, there are some doubts and discussions about the contralateral craniotomy. We retrospectively analyzed the series of contralateral surgeries of TMS and their visual outcomes comparing with ipsilateral approach. Twenty-six patients with TSM were operated on from 2010 to 2019 (F/M 20/6, mean age 49 years), in 17 (65%) we performed contralateral and in 9 (35%) ipsilateral approach. All procedures were performed via fronto-lateral craniotomy. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 21 (81%) cases and in all but one patient we noticed visual improvement after surgery (96%). Optic canal unroofing with mobilization of more affected visual nerve was necessary in 5/9 pts of ipsilateral vs 3/17 pts of contralateral group. We had no significant postoperative complications.There was no difference in outcome between ipsilateral and contralateral fronto-lateral approaches for TSM resection; thus, contralateral approach was at least as safe and effective as ipsilateral.

Cavernous Hemangioma of the Chiasm and Left Optic Nerve.

Cavernous malformations (CMs) of the optic nerves, chiasm, and optic tract are very rare. This report describes a 26-year-old man who presented with recurring headaches, loss of vision in his left eye, and elevated blood pressure. After being diagnosed with glioma of the chiasm, he was referred to our department. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed signs of a mass lesion of the left chiasmal area, a finding confirmed after transcranial biopsy. In February 2015, he underwent gross total resection of the cavernous angioma of the chiasm and the left optic nerve. Three months later, the patient's vision returned to normal. The absence of a typical clinical picture and the lack of radiological visualization can hinder pathologic diagnosis. Total microsurgical resection is the optimal treatment strategy for patients with CMs of the chiasm and optic nerve because it usually results in improved vision and long-term benefits. The results in this patient demonstrate the importance of rapid diagnosis and gross total surgical resection of CMs of the chiasm and left optic nerve.