• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.151-154
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• 2005

A 43-year-old woman was admitted with the chief complaint of progressive visual disturbance and her brain radiological studies disclosed well demarcated tumor at tuberculum sellae area and bilateral mirror image paraclinoid internal carotid artery saccular aneurysms. A larger left side aneurysm was pointing medialy and almost encased by the tumor. Although a brain tumor and intracranial aneurysm can be simultaneously treated by surgery, the high risk of intra-operative aneurysm rupture should be considered. Therefore, the author secondly performed tumor resection after the endovascular embolization of the aneurysm which was embedding the tumor using a Guglielmi detachable coil. After successful treatment of the patient with tuberculum sellae meningioma associated with bilateral mirror image paraclinoid aneurysms using endovascular and surgical techniques, the authors present the case with a review of the related literatures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.525-528
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• 2016

Preservation of the optic nerves is an important issue in the resection of tuberculum sellae meningiomas. We report the case of a patient whose optic nerve was penetrated by a tuberculum sellae meningioma. During surgery, a bulging tumor was found to penetrate the right optic nerve. The tumor was gross totally removed, including tumors bulging through the optic nerve. Two trunks of the split optic nerve were preserved. The penetrated shape of the optic nerve may lead to misjudgment and its damage. Divided trunks of optic nerves are difficult to recognize and may be confused for the tumor capsule, because they may be thinned and seem to contain tumors. In addition, a single trunk may be confused for the whole nerve; thus, the other trunk may be easily damaged if not dissected cautiously. Treatment strategy according to the remnant visual acuity was suggested.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.329-334
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• 2006

Objective : In selected cases, the transsphenoidal approach[TSA] can be extended anteriorly to the tuberculum sellae, chiasmatic sulcus, and planum sphenoidale to obtain direct exposure of the suprasellar cisterns and its contents. We applied this modification of the TSA to various lesions of the presellar and suprasellar areas. We evaluate our clinical experience of this technique and review the related literature. Methods : From 1999 to 2004, we used the transsphenoidal supradiaphragmatic intradural approachs[TSIAs] in 9 patients who had various lesions at the pre- and suprasellar regions. Concomitant presellar extension of the bone window was performed with the sublabial or transnasal transseptal transphenoidal techniques. After removal of the lesions, sellar or anterior cranial floor was repaired with silicone plate substitute. Results : The TSIAs have been applied in the following cases : four tuberculum sellae meningiomas, two craniopharyngiomas, two Rathke's cleft cysts, and one non-functioning macroadenoma. The complications were one case of visual acuity decrease and one cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Conclusion : The TSIA is easily applicable through a minor modification of the standard TSA. It is suitable for removing lesions located in the presellar and suprasellar area adjacent to the pituitary stalk with minimal brain manipulation and decreased morbidity.

• 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.