Abstract
Background Meningiomas follow schwannomas as the second most common cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors. We investigate the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of this disease. Methods We reviewed the cases with the CPA meningiomas in our institution in Shaanxi, China from January 2012 to December 2015. Charts were retrospectively examined and patients were divided into two groups: 1) surgical treatment with a retrosigmoid approach for tumor resection and 2) stereotactic radiosurgery treatment only. Patients were followed up and outpatient records were also reviewed. Results Forty-nine patients underwent surgical resection via the retrosigmoid approach, while the other four underwent Gamma Knife® stereotactic radiosurgery (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) only. The most common presenting symptoms included hearing loss/tinnitus, vertigo, and headache; only 8.2% were asymptomatic. The largest diameter and base of each tumor varied from 4.0 to 5.5 cm and 3.0 to 5.0 cm, respectively. The tumors extended into different directions, mainly towards the tentorium and internal acoustic meatus (IAM). Eighty-three percent of surgical patients had a gross total resection. One death occurred due to pulmonary inflammation. Tumor recurrence was noted in 6.1% of patients. Postoperative trigeminal disturbance, facial nerve palsy, and hearing deterioration or loss were the most common immediate and delayed postoperative complications; most patients partially or completely recovered after hospital discharge. Intraoperative neuro-electrophysiological monitoring, complete resection, and postoperative radiation were key factors for reducing complications and recurrence. Conclusions The retrosigmoid approach offers an ideal visual field for exposing and resecting CPA meningiomas in a large series of cases. In our experience, it is one of the most useful and commonly used surgical approaches for removing meningiomas of this region.