Background: The lateral supraorbital approach (LSO) provides an optimal access corridor for various skull bases lesions, including olfactory groove meningiomas (OGMs). The aim of this study is to describe the authors' experience with the management of large and giant OGMs utilizing the LSO approach and describe the technical nuances of the procedure.
Methods: A retrospective review of seven patients with large and giant OGMs managed with the LSO approach between 2013 and 2019 was performed. Radiographic and clinical data were recorded and analyzed.
Results: Seven patients with large and giant OGMs underwent surgical resection via the LSO approach. Six patients were female, with a median age of 56 years. Patients commonly presented with altered mentation, anosmia, and headaches. The average tumor volume was 120.6 ± 64.7 cm3 with five cases of vascular encasement. Simpson grade II resection was achieved in four patients while Simpson grade IV resection was achieved in three patients. The median length of stay was 2.0 days. The median preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score was 70, improving to 100 at last postoperative follow-up visit. Two complications were encountered in the form of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak in one patient and a transient diplopia in another patient. Tumor recurrence/progression was identified in two patients during a median follow-up time of 65.5 months. Both cases have been managed with adjuvant radiosurgery.
Conclusion: The LSO approach is a safe and effective minimally invasive transcranial corridor for the management of OGMs that should be part of the armamentarium of skull base neurosurgeons.
Keywords: Olfactory groove; anterior cranial fossa; endoscopic endonasal approach; lateral supraorbital approach; meningioma.