Widening the Operative Corridor-Evaluating the Transcortical Approach to Giant Falcine Meningiomas

BACKGROUND

Giant falcine meningiomas are surgically complex as they are deep in location, concealed by normal brain parenchyma, in close proximity to various neurovascular structures, and frequently involve the falx bilaterally. Although classically accessed using a bifrontal craniotomy and interhemispheric approach, little data exist on alternative operative corridors for these challenging tumors. We evaluated perioperative and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing transcortical resection of giant bilateral falcine meningiomas.

METHODS

From 2013 to 2022, fourteen patients with giant bilateral falcine meningiomas treated via a transcortical approach at our institution were identified. Perioperative and long-term outcomes were evaluated to determine predictors of adverse events. Corticectomy depth was also analyzed to determine if it correlated with increased postoperative seizure rates.

RESULTS

57.1% of cases were WHO grade 2 meningiomas. Average tumor volume was 77.8 ± 46.5 cm3 and near/gross total resection was achieved in 78.6% of patients. No patient developed a venous infarct or had seizures in the 6 months after surgery. Average corticectomy depth was 0.83 ± 0.71 cm and increasing corticectomy depth did not correlate with higher risk of postoperative seizures (P = 0.44). Increasing extent of tumor resection correlated with lower tumor grade (P = 0.011) and only 1 patient required repeat resection during a median follow-period of 24.9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The transcortical approach is a safe alternative corridor for accessing giant, falcine meningiomas, and postoperative seizures were not found to correlate with increasing corticectomy depth. Further prospective studies are necessary to determine the best approach to these surgically complex lesions.

Falcine meningioma: FEBAIR principles in a "Grade Zero" concept application - 2D operative video

Background

Falcine meningiomas account for 5% of intracranial meningiomas. They may involve the eloquent cortex as well as vascular structures. Gross-total resection with additional margins has been shown to be beneficial to patients and has been associated with a reduction in disease recurrence.

Case Description

A 57-year-old patient presented with recurrent frontal headaches that worsened when lying down. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large lesion with homogeneous enhancement attached to the anterior third of the falx cerebri at the right frontal lobe, causing significant compression, and suggesting a meningioma.

Conclusion

This operative video highlights the application of 1st-time, exposure, bone removal, arachnoid, irrigation, and reconstruction principles for safely and effectively removing a large falcine meningioma using the "grade zero" concept for maximal resection.

Endoscopic Contralateral Interhemispheric Transfalcine Keyhole Approach for Large Falcine Meningiomas

OBJECTIVE

Falcine meningioma is usually approached ipsilaterally, and the technique for tumor removal has traditionally been performed under microscopy. We report a surgical procedure for large falcine meningioma by an endoscopic contralateral interhemispheric transfalcine keyhole approach.

METHODS

The study period was from September 2019 to March 2021. Study participants were patients with World Health Organization grade I meningioma showing falx attachment, excluding neurofibromatosis, who underwent initial surgery at our institution. The surgical procedure begins with a small contralateral craniotomy of about 3 cm, followed by insertion of an endoscope. The tumor attachment to the falx is excised, exposing the tumor. Internal decompression is performed, and the lesion is dissected from the surrounding brain before removal through the falx.

RESULTS

An endoscopic contralateral interhemispheric transfalcine keyhole approach was used to resect 4 cases of large falcine meningioma. The mean operation time was 265 minutes (range: 216-294 minutes), achieving Simpson grade I removal in all cases. No evidence of cerebral infarction, cerebral edema, or new neurological complaints related to impaired venous return was seen using this surgical method.

CONCLUSIONS

In the case of falcine meningioma, the endoscopic keyhole contralateral technique allows detachment of the tumor from the falx and safe manipulation in a minor field of view. In addition, because the craniotomy is smaller and the operation time is shorter, this procedure offers a less-invasive approach for the patient. This technique is thus, in our opinion, quite advantageous.

Falcine meningioma masquerading as biliary colic - Case report and literature review

Right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain and discomfort is a common presenting complaint often associated with abdominal pathology. We report a rare presentation of structural intracranial pathology in a patient initially presenting with RUQ abdominal discomfort. While initial investigations concentrating on abdominal causes revealed no likely culprit, progression of symptoms to involve right lower limb weakness eventually prompted the patient's re-presentation and eventual definitive diagnosis. This case depicts a hitherto unreported cause for abdominally-manifested seizures.

Occult falcine meningioma unmasked following nearly complete hemorrhagic transformation with resultant spontaneous acute interhemispheric subdural hematoma

Sudden-onset monoplegia with features of vomiting and headache usually signals an intracranial cerebrovascular event. We describe a 62-year-old man in whom this presentation was the result of the rare occurrence of an almost complete hemorrhagic transformation of a falcine meningioma with resultant acute interhemispheric subdural hematoma, and discuss the risk factors and possible mechanisms that may lead to such an event. The need for careful examination of the available radiology and aggressive tumor removal is stressed.

Is sagittal sinus resection in falcine meningiomas a factor of bad surgical outcome?

OBJECTIVE

Meningiomas arising purely from the falx below the longitudinal sinus represents a surgical challenge for the neurosurgeon. The authors discuss the new aspects of surgical details that may avoid complications and determine the prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated our surgical experience from June 2004 to January 2010. Seventy patients harboring falcine meningiomas were included and submitted for surgical resection. All historical records, office charts and images were reviewed in order to sample the most important data regarding epidemiology, clinical pictures, radiological findings and surgical results, as well as the main complications. The patients were divided into three main groups: anterior third 32 patients (Group A), middle third 15 patients (Group B), 23 patients in the posterior third of falx (Group C).

RESULTS

In Group A, total macroscopic resection was achieved in 31 out of 32 cases (96.87%). Twenty five patients had Rankin 0, five patients had Rankin 1-2, two patients had Rankin 6. In Group B (15 patients), 10 patients had gross resection and Rankin 0, four patients had Rankin 1-2 and one patient had Rankin 6. In Group C (23 patients), 20 patients were absolutely able, Rankin score 0, after six months postoperative period (83.3% had excellent results) and no mortality. Four cases had Rankin score 1 - 2 (16.6%). Ten cases (43.47%) had Simpson I resection and ten cases (43.47%) had Simpson II.

CONCLUSION

Despite larger lesion volumes, Group A meningiomas had a better outcome due to the position they were in, the tumor and surrounding structures. The preoperative preparation and surgical planning can preserve sagittal sinus; but in some cases, this is not possible. Sagittal sinus resection, as proven by this paper, is still a factor of bad surgical outcome. In the middle and posterior third, resection of sagittal sinus is a factor of a bad outcome, due to cerebral infartion.

Falx meningiomas: surgical results and lessons learned from 68 cases

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to review the characteristics of falcine meningioma retrospectively and to identify the parameters associated with tumor recurrence.

METHODS

The analysis included; age, sex, extent of resection, and radiologic and pathologic findings. Falcine meningiomas were classified by location as anterior, middle, or posterior as described for parasagittal meningiomas.

RESULTS

Of the 795 meningioma patients treated between 1990 and 2004 at the authors' institution, 68 patients with meningiomas arising from the falx underwent craniotomies. There were 22 male and 46 female patients (1 : 2.1). Mean age was 55 years and ranged from 14 to 77 years. Locations of falcine meningioma were; the anterior third in 33 cases, middle in 20, and posterior in 15. Mean tumor volume was 42 cc and ranged from 4 to 140 cc. In 58 of the 68 patients tumors were totally removed. Additional surgery for recurrence was performed in 6 patients over 15 years. Of these 6 patients, only two patients underwent gross total tumor resection at first operation; the other four underwent subtotal tumor resection. Based on pathologic reports, the largest tumor subtype was transitional. There were four patients with a high grade tumor-three atypical and one anaplastic meningioma. Of the 68 patients, 59 achieved a good outcome (no neurological deficit or recurrence), six had temporary complications, two suffered new permanent postoperative deficits, and the remaining one died due to severe brain swelling despite postoperative intensive care. Extent of surgical resection was found to be significantly related to tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Falcine meningioma accounted for 8.5% of intracranial meningiomas and the transitional meningioma was the most common subtype of falcine meningioma. Gross total resection of tumor was the single most important predictor of an improved surgical outcome.