FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME FOLLOWING SURGERY OF ANTERIOR CRANIAL FOSSA MENINGIOMAS .

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONIntracranial meningiomas are common at the skull base, convexity, falx, and tentorium, with meningothelial meningioma more prevalent at the base. Skull base meningiomas account for 20-30% of primary meningeal tumors and are complex, benign lesions with a moderate growth rate. Anterior cranial fossa meningiomas (ACFM) include olfactory groove meningioma, planum sphenoidale meningioma, tuberculum sellae meningioma, sphenoid wing meningioma, and diaphragma sellae meningioma. Common symptoms for intracranial meningiomas include seizures, headaches, raised intracranial pressure, psychiatric manifestations, cognitive function, and focal neurological deficit due to compression of the tumor. Diagnosis is reached by imaging (MRI & CT-scan) and biopsy or pathology of the resection specimen.AIMThe aim of this study was to assess the functional outcomes of patients operated upon for ACFMs. Assessment includes mental, motor, sensory, olfactory, visual, and ocular outcomes for a period of six months.METHODSThis was a retrospective study of 30 patients operated on for anterior cranial fossa meningioma (ACFM) and managed at Alexandria University Hospital. Their demographic, clinical, and imaging data were collected pre-operatively. These patients were monitored for six months after surgery, and clinical outcomes were assessed for improvement, stationary, and deterioration.