• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.156-158
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• 2006

We present a case of olfactory schwannoma in a 16-year-old boy with headache and diplopia. Brain computed tomography[CT] scan and magnetic resonance[MR] imaging showed a huge mass in the subfrontal area resembling an olfactory groove meningioma. We performed a bifrontal craniotomy and found out the mass was attached to cribriform plate but was not related to the olfactory tract or bulb. The histopathological diagnosis of schwannoma was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining for S-100, vimentin and others. We describe the clinical manifestations, radiological characteristics, histological aspects, and differential diagnosis of this tumor with literature review.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.423-427
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• 2006

Objective : Postoperative brain swelling after resection of olfactory groove meningiomas by bifrontal interhemispheric transbasal approach is a knotty subject. Pathogenesis and predictive factors were investigated to prevent the problem. Methods : Eighteen patients of olfactory groove meningiomas who had undergone surgery were enrolled and retrospectively analyzed using their clinical and radiological data. Bifrontal inter hemispheric transbasal approach was used in all patients. Magnetic resonance imaging and transfemoral cerebral angiography were available for investigation in 18 and 14 patients respectively. Postoperative clinical course, tumor volume, peritumoral edema, tumor supplying vessels, and venous drainage patterns were carefully investigated in relation to postoperative brain swelling. Results : Seven patients [39%] developed clinically overt brain swelling after surgery. Among them, 4 patients had to undergo decompression surgery. In three patients, attempted bone flap removal was done by way of prevention of increased intracranial pressure resulted from intractable brain swelling and two of them eventually developed brain swelling which could be recovered without sequellae. Abnormal frontal base venous channel observed in preoperative angiography was significant predictive factor for postoperative brain swelling [p=0.031]. However, tumor volume, peritumoral edema, and existence of pial tumor supplying vessels from anterior cerebral arteries were failed to show statistical significances. Conclusion : To prevent postoperative brain swelling in olfactory groove meningioma surgery, unilateral approach to preserve frontal base venous channels or temporal bone flap removal is recommended when it is indicated.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.98-101
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• 2012

We report a patient who underwent gamma knife radiosurgery to treat recurrent meningioma after microsurgery and thereafter developed secondary malignancy adjacent to the original tumor. A 47-year-old woman had underwent resection of the olfactory groove meningioma. Then radiosurgery was done three times over 4 year period for the recurrent tumor. After 58 months from the initial radiosurgery, she presented with headache and progressive mental dullness. Huge tumor in bifrontal location was revealed in MRI. Subsequent operation and pathological examination confirmed diagnosis of glioblastoma. This case fits the criteria of radiation-induced tumor and the clinical implication of the issue is discussed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1437-1444
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• 2000

Objectives : Traditionally intracranial meningiomas are regarded as benign and curable tumors. About half of all intracranial meningiomas locate in the skull base region. However, surgical removal of these tumors may be challenging and require special considerations. Here general aspects of skull base meningiomas including clinical presentation, surgical approaches, complications and their recurrence rate are discussed based on our experiences. Methods : A retrospective analysis of 61 consecutive patients with skull base meningioma among 210 patients of meningioma between 1989 and 1998 were done. Results : There were 41 women and 20 men ranging from 13 to 74 years(mean 52 years). These tumors were divided into seven categories according to location : olfactory groove(n＝9), sphenoid ridge(n＝16), cavernous sinus(n ＝2), tuberculum sellae(n＝8), tentorium(n＝13), cerebellopontine angle(n＝12), and foramen magnum meningiomas (n＝1). Surgical approaches were selected on the basis of the tumor attachment, size and extension on preoperative radiologic findings. Total removal(Simpson grade I and II) was achieved in 50 cases(82%), and subtotal removal (Simpson grade III) in 11 patients(18%). According to WHO classification, there were 52 of cases of benign meningioma( 86%), 6 atypical cases(10%), and 3 malignant cases(5%). The most common postoperative complications were CSF leakage(23.0%) and cranial nerve injury(8.2%). Three patient died related with tumor(one was due to surgical complication and the other two due to recurrence) but three patients died from other systemic causes. Mean follow-up period was 51.7 months after surgery. Recurrence occurred in six patients(10.9%) ; three with tentorial meningioma, two with sphenoid ridge, and one in cerebellopontine angle. Conclusion : With advances in neuroradiology and microsurgical techniques, the surgical outcome of miningiomas has been markedly improved with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. Overall, our surgical results of skull base meningiomas is comparable to other reports. Therefore, with the appropriate operative strategy and techniques, these tumors can be completely removed and good surgical results can be expected.