Clinical features and surgical treatment of asymptomatic meningiomas

Abstract

Aim: To explore clinical features and surgical treatment of asymptomatic meningiomas (AMs). Material and Methods: Clinical materials of 122 patients with AMs treated surgically were analyzed retrospectively and the associated literatures were reviewed. Results: There were 39 males and 83 females whose ages ranged from 38 to 72 years with a mean of 58.6 years in this series. The cerebral convexity (32.8%), parasagittal region (31.1%), and parafalcine (29.5%) ranked in the top three of all locations of AMs. The average size of the tumors was 2.8 cm in diameter, with a tumoral calcification rate of 33.6%. Among the 82 cases of AMs monitored with serial computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scannings, 44 had no obvious growth during a period of 3 to 18 months (mean 10.5 months) whereas 38 increased in diameter from 0.2 to 1.8 cm (mean 0.4 cm) every year during a period of 6 to 38 months (mean 26 months). Total resection was achieved in all cases. No death or permanent neurological deficits occurred. Conclusion: AMs have some marked clinical characteristics compared with the symptomatic meningiomas. Their definitive treatment project rests with patients'age, results of follow-up, surgical risk-effect ratio, size, calcification of the tumor as well as patient preference.