Surgical resection of pediatric skull base meningiomas

PURPOSE: Meningiomas in children are rare, especially those located at the skull base. In this study, we report our experience of meningioma surgery in the pediatric population and compare our findings of skull base (SB) versus non-skull base (NSB) meningiomas. METHODS: From our database of 724 surgically treated meningioma patients at the University Hospital, Zurich between 1995 and 2010, 12 patients under 18 years of age were identified. Data for those patients was retrospectively collected through chart review. A descriptive comparison between SB and NSB meningiomas was undertaken to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: In all 12 children (seven males, five females; mean age 12.2 ± 4.3 years), surgical removal of the meningioma was performed microsurgically with a mean follow-up of 53 months (range 12-137 months). Of the 12 tumors, six were located in the SB and six in the NSB. Comparing SB to NSB lesions, the mean age was 11 ± 3.8 versus 14 ± 4.6 years, male/female gender distribution was 5:1 compared to 1:5, mean tumor size was 7.5 ± 6.2 versus 26 ± 15.8 cm(2) (p = 0.03), and mean surgery time was 347 versus 214 min. While WHO grade was similar for both groups, the Simpson grade revealed more extensive resection for NSB meningiomas. The Glasgow Outcome Scale at last follow-up was favorable for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Meningioma surgery was safe with favorable outcomes. SB meningiomas were significantly smaller in size, were less likely to undergo complete resection, and had a predilection for younger, male patients