Diagnosis and microsurgical removal of cavernous sinus tumors

Objective To probe the diagnosis and the effectiveness of microsurgical treatment for cavernous sinus tumors (CST).Methods Thirty-eight patients with CST had been diagnosed by CT or MRI. The tumors were excised utilizing the improved pterional approach to the cavernous sinus region under operative microscope .Results Total resection was achieved in 31 patients (81.6%), subtotal resection in 5 (13.1%) and partial resection in 2 (5.3%). One patient (2.6%) died after operation. The symptoms such as headache and cavernous sinus syndrome were ameliorated post-operation. All operative samples were confirmed pathohistologically as meningioma, neurinoma, cavernous angioma, pituitary adenoma and cholesteatoma . Follow-up study (ranged from 8 months to 12 years with a mean period of 3 .6 years) was available in 33 patients , the tumor became enlarged in 3 cases, and unchanged or decreased in size in 4 cases, in which 4 cases underwent postoperative radiosurgery.Conclusion MRI examination is the best method for diagnosis of the patients with CST, and these tumors can be removed successfully with the microsurgical technique via the improved pterional approach.