Endonasal Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Resection of Tuberculum Sella Meningioma with Anterior Cerebral Artery Encasement

Cureus. 2015 Aug 25;7(8):e311. doi: 10.7759/cureus.311.

Abstract

Anterior cerebral artery (ACA) encasement is often considered a contraindication for an endonasal endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. We report a patient with a tuberculum sella meningioma with ACA encasement, in whom a gross total excision was achieved through an endonasal endoscopic transsphenoidal transtuberculum, transplanum approach. The tumor was sharply dissected along the left ACA using meticulous bimanual sharp dissection after internal decompression. Moreover, the medial optic canals were opened and the optic nerves decompressed. A gasket seal closure with a nasoseptal flap was performed, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day four with improved vision. This case highlights the ability to remove planum and tuberculum meningiomas with vascular encasement through an endonasal endoscopic approach with the potential for safe vascular dissection. The absence of luminal narrowing can be used to assure the likelihood of a safe arachnoid plane.

Keywords: anterior cerebral artery encasement; arachnoid plane; endonasal endoscopy; transtuberculum/transplanum approach; tuberculum sella meningioma.