OBJECTIVETo evaluate the three-dimensional CT angiography (3D-CTA) assisted suboccipital transtentorial approach (Poppen's approach) in the treatment of pineal region meningioma.

METHODSDuring the period of January 2005 to January 2010, 8 patients with pineal region meningioma were successfully treated using Poppen's approach through cerebral falx and tentorium. There were three male patients and five female patients were aged at a range of 41 - 64 years, average age was (54 ± 10) years. According to the Karnofsky performance scale (KPS), 5 patients' KPS scores were more than or equal to 80 and 3 were less than 80. MRI was used for the diagnosis of meningioma. 3D-CTA was applied to detect meningioma staining and blood supply. For preoperative concurrent hydrocephalus, follow-up observations were given. If hydrocephalus didn't get better or even became worse, ventriculoperitoneal shunt should be considered.

RESULTSAll the surgery were successfully performed, and venous complexes (VC) were well protected according to the CTA images. Out of the eight cases whose meningiomas were removed, one patient had got postoperative intracranial infection and recovered after given antibiotics. All patients were followed up for a period of 6 - 24 months. Preoperative concurrent hydrocephalus in 7 patients were improved. However, there was an aggravation of the hydrocephalus in one patient who was treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The MRIs which were performed at the end of follow-up period, showed no recurrence of meningiomas, and preoperative symptoms were improved to varying degrees, 7 patients' KPS scores were more than or equal to 80 and 1 was less than 80. A χ(2) test was used to analyze and to make comparisons between preoperative and postoperative KPS. The significance was indicated (χ(2) = 1.33, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor meningiomas in the pineal region, 3D-CTA is of great clinical value to distinguish the anatomic relationship among the meningioma, blood supply and VC. This case study has strongly supported using Poppen's approach assisted by 3D-CTA to proceed with the operation.