Posterior-based resection of spinal meningiomas: an institutional experience of 141 patients with an average of 28 months of follow-up

OBJECTIVE

Spinal meningiomas pose unique challenges based on the location of their dural attachment. However, there is a paucity of literature investigating the role of dural attachment location on outcomes after posterior-based approach for spinal meningioma resection. The aim of this study was to investigate any differences in outcomes between dural attachment location subgroups in spinal meningioma patients who underwent posterior-based resection.

METHODS

This was a single-institution review of patients who underwent resection of a spinal meningioma from 1997 to 2017. Surgical, oncological, and neurological outcomes were compared between patients with varying dural attachments. Multivariate analysis was utilized.

RESULTS

A total of 141 patients were identified. The mean age was 62 years, and 110 women were included. The sites of dural attachments were as follows: 16 (11.3%) dorsal, 31 (22.0%) dorsolateral, 17 (12.1%) lateral, 40 (28.4%) ventral, and 37 (26.2%) ventrolateral. Most meningiomas were WHO grade I (92.2%) and in the thoracic spine (61.0%). All patients underwent a posterior approach for tumor resection. There were no differences between subgroups in terms of largest diameter of tumor resected (p = 0.201), gross-total resection (GTR) or subtotal resection (p = 0.362), Simpson grade of resection, perioperative complications (p = 0.116), long-term neurological deficit (p = 0.100), or postoperative radiation therapy (p = 0.971). Cervical spine location was associated with reduced incidence of GTR (OR 0.271, 95% CI 0.108-0.684, p = 0.006) on multivariate analysis. The overall incidence of recurrence/progression was 4.6%, with no difference (p = 0.800) between subgroups. Similarly, the average length of follow-up was 28.1 months, with no difference between subgroups (p = 0.413).

CONCLUSIONS

Posterior-based approaches for resection of spinal meningiomas are safe and effective, regardless of dural attachment location, with similar surgical, oncological, and neurological outcomes. Comparison of long-term recurrence rates between dural attachment subgroups is required.

Grade II Sylvian fissure meningiomas without dural attachment: case report and review of the literature

Sylvian fissure meningiomas (SFMs) represent a rare subgroup of nondural-based tumors arising from the meningothelial cells within the arachnoid of the Sylvian fissure. SFMs are more frequent in young males, usually manifest with seizures and display the same radiological features of meningiomas in other locations. Although the absence of dural attachment makes these tumors suitable for a complete resection, their anatomical relationships with the middle cerebral artery branches have impaired its achievement in half of them. To the best of our knowledge, only five atypical WHO grade II SFMs have been previously described. We provide a literature review of SFMs WHO grades I-II and discuss common characteristics and surgical challenges we found in a similar case.

Giant convexity chondroma with dural involvement: Case report and review of literature

Intracranial chondromas are rare benign cartilaginous tumors arising usually from the skull base. We present a case of giant chondroma with dural attachment. Imaging modalities and management pearls are discussed. A brief review of literature is also presented.