Diagnosis and surgical treatment of trigeminal neurinoma

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and surgical treatment of trigeminal neurinoma.Methods The clinical manifestations,preoperative image features,surgical approach and outcome of 29 patients with trigeminal neurinoma performed the operation in our neurosurgery department between January,1990 and December,2008 were analyzed retrospectively.Results The most common symptoms were the ipsilateral trigeminal paralysis.The tumors may locate in middle cranial fossa,posterior cranial fossa or extend into the middle and posterior cranial fossa as dumbbell-shaped.Total tumor removal were achieved in 19 patients,subtotal in 7,and largely partial in 3.Postoperatively,the cranial nerve deficits were improved in 20 patients,unchanged in 4 and worsened in 5 with facial numbness or the abducent nerve palsy.Conclusions The original location and developmental pattern of trigeminal neurinomas are complicated.MRI is important for diagnosis and surgical choice of approach.The combination of appropriate surgical approach and microsurgery can lead to better surgical results.