Suprasellar meningioma and its microsurgical treatment

Eighteen cases of suprasellar meningiomas were reported. These patients presented mainly with visual deficits and headache. Endocrinic disturbances were uncommon. Sella turcica was usually normal. CT scanning and angiography played the major roles in clarifying the location, size, blood supply and its relation to adjacent structures of the tumor. Eleven tumors were totally removed. Operative mortality was 5.6%. The choise of surgical approach should depend on the location, size, and developing direction of the tumor. The following priniciples were emphasized: （1） dissecting the meningioma attachment first; （2） identifying the critical structures around the tumor as early as possible; （3） preserving the major perforating arteries; and （4） using microsurgical techniques.