Meningiomas of the Cerebellopontine Angle: Tips and Pearls for Safe Surgical Resection.

AIM: To present our series of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) meningiomas and to provide some innovative surgical steps for safe removal of these tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical, radiological and surgical characteristics of 32 patients with meningioma in the CPA were retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the factors that affect the incidence of complication.

RESULTS: The mean age was 49.5 years and 87.5% of patients were male. 87.5% of patients had WHO grade I meningioma and the others had WHO grade II tumors. The mean tumor volume was 33.98 ml and 65.6% of the patients underwent gross total resection. Preoperative tumor size/extension and extent of resection were related with the development of complications.

CONCLUSION: CPA meningiomas are challeging tumors for a safe removal. Tumor size and extent of resection are important risk factors for the development of postoperative complications.