Surgical Management of Sphenoid Wing Meningiomas

Background: Sphenoidal meningiomas constitute 18% of intracranial masses. Sphenoid wing meningiomas still present a difficult surgical challenge especially when they are large in size and involve neurovascular structures. Objective: The aim of the study is to shed light on the management of sphenoid wing meningioma, study the outcome of microsurgical resection and factors affecting its resectability. Patients and Methods: In this prospective study, thirty cases were included thirteen outer and / or middle sphenoid wing, thirteen clinoidal and four meningiomas en plaque. In each case diagnosis was made clinically and confirmed radiologically and histo-pathologically. Results: Between March 2011 and June 2014, thirty patients with meningiomas primarily originating from sphenoid ridge were operated, 22 (73.3%) patients were females and 8(26.7%) were males. In seventeen cases total resection was achieved, and subtotal resection in thirteen cases. In this study mortality was recorded in two case and morbidity in nine cases. Eight cases has excellent outcome fourteen were good and six were fair and two died. Conclusion: The surgical treatment of sphenoid wing meningiomas still represents a challenge for neurosurgeons. Surgery for sphenoid wing meningiomas poses a variety of problems reflecting the complex anatomy of the sphenoid region.