Olfaction preservation after removal of large tuberculum sellae meningiomas via a superior interhemispheric approach. A quantitative and qualitative study.
INTRODUCTION
We present a prospective series of tuberculum sellae meningioma (TSM) resected via a superior interhemispheric (IH) approach in 10 patients who preoperatively and postoperatively underwent extensive olfaction testing using a standardised test battery.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
This prospective longitudinal study evaluated the olfactory function after TSM resection. The resection was performed via a superior interhemispheric (IH) approach. The quantitative and qualitative analyses of the olfactory function were assessed with the Biolfa(®) olfactory test (at 6 months).


RESULTS
Between November 2009 and April 2012, 10 consecutive patients with symptomatic TSM and preserved olfactory function were operated via a superior IH approach. For the self-evaluation criteria of the olfactory function, the mean preoperative visual analog scale score was 8.8. The mean preoperative total quantitative (/27) scored 18.2 ± 6.3 for this cohort of 10 patients. In the postoperative period, the mean total score decreased non-significantly to 15.8 ± 8.8 (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.085). The mean preoperative qualitative score (/8) was 5.5 ± 1.7 and in the postoperative period decreased, non-significantly, to 4.7 ± 2.6 (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.12). The olfactory function was quantitatively and qualitatively preserved in 6 patients (60%), but a postoperative deterioration occurred in 2 (20%) and an anosmia in 2 (20%). Size and invasive characteristics of the meningioma determined the post-surgical deterioration.


CONCLUSION
Olfaction is an important factor of emotional and social life, which needs to be integrated into the challenge regarding the resection of TSM. The risks of nerve damage are reviewed.
['Hannequin|P|P|', 'Paviot|A|A|', 'Chaussy|O|O|', 'Gilard|V|V|', 'Cébula|H|H|', 'Marie|J-P|JP|', 'Proust|F|F|']
D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms D008579:Meningioma D008875:Middle Aged D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures D000857:Olfaction Disorders D066208:Olfactory Tubercle D011446:Prospective Studies D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms D012903:Smell D015173:Supratentorial Neoplasms D016896:Treatment Outcome
Olfaction Meningioma Méningiome Sellar tuberculum Tubercule sellaire