Meningiomas of the posterior fossa

Abstract

Clinical and surgical results in 38 cases of posterior fossa meningiomas are presented. All cases have been diagnosed and operated upon during the last 12 years in this department. We have identified five locations for these tumors: cerebellopontine angle, cerebellar convexity, tentorium, peritorcular, and clivus. Clinical features of these tumors and their surgical management are described. Sixty-eight percent of the cases presented have been diagnosed by computed tomography scan. All cases were operated upon with a 15.78% postoperative mortality; 36.85% of the patients remained symptom-free; 26.32% suffered mild neurological deficits; and 21.05% suffered severe neurological deficits. Total resection had been accomplished in 84.22% of the cases. Computed tomography scans allow earlier and more accurate diagnosis of these tumors, which in our opinion has modified the surgical results for the better. We discuss our findings and compare them with other published articles.