Factors associated with favorable visual outcome after surgery of clinoidal meningiomas

Abstract

BackgroundThe anatomical relationship between clinoidal meningiomas and the optic nerve accounts for their frequent finding on visual disturbances. The goal of the surgery is to perform complete resection and obtain visual recovery. The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with favorable visual outcome. MethodsWe recorded clinical (including ophthalmological), imaging and surgical data of all patients operated on for clinoidal meningiomas between 2010 and 2020 in 2 French neurosurgical departments and we analyzed their impact on visual outcome. ResultsA total of 34 patients were included. At 3–4 months after surgery, 23 patients (68%) had favorable visual outcome. Factors associated with favorable visual outcome were duration of ophthalmologic symptoms < 6 months, preoperative visual acuity > 0.5, absence of optic atrophy, meningioma in high signal intensity on T2-weighted or FLAIR MRI, absence of optic canal involvement and absence of bone hyperostosis on pre-operative CT scan. A soft tumor and a clear brain/tumor border were intra-operative factor associated with favorable ophthalmological outcome. ConclusionsIn clinoidal meningiomas, an early surgery should be performed to optimize visual improvement. Hyperintense lesion on T2-weighted/FLAIR preoperative MRI is correlated with a soft consistency which allows an easier surgery associated with a favorable visual outcome. Invasion of the optic canal and bone hyperostosis should reserve the visual prognosis.