To investigate the surgical method and efficacy of the extended pterional approach in the resection of huge medial sphenoid ridge meningiomas (MSRMs).

Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 41 patients diagnosed with MSRMs (diameter ≥4.0 cm) from Nanjing Brain Hospital between January 2012 and February 2022 was conducted. Within 24 hours after surgery, head computed tomography and magnetic resonance imagingwere reviewed to evaluate the extent of tumor resection based on Simpson grading. Cranial magnetic resonance imagingwas repeated 3 to 60 months after surgery to assess tumor recurrence or progression. Preoperative, discharge, and follow-up Karnofsky functional status scores (KPS) were assessed to determine patients' functional status. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was utilized to compare KPS at preoperative, hospital discharge, and final follow-up.

The 41 selected cases included 38 cases (92.7%) of Simpson I-III resection and 3 cases (7.3%) of Simpson IV resection. All the cases had typical pathological features and definite pathological diagnoses. There were 2 recurrent tumors and 4 progressed tumors when the patients were followed up from 3 months to 60 months after operations. The results demonstrated that the KPS score at the final follow-up (91.4 ± 9.6) was higher than at hospital discharge (85.3 ± 8.9) and preoperation (78.2 ± 8.5) (F = 69.46, P = 0.033).

The use of the extended pterional approach in the resection of huge MSRMs appears to be an effective surgical method. Careful dissection and preservation of vascular and neural structures, as well as meticulous microsurgical techniques in managing cavernous sinus tumors, can lead to reduced surgical complications and improved treatment outcomes.