Supraorbital Approach for Resection of Clinoidal Meningioma

Abstract

Meningiomas of the clinoid region pose a formidable surgical challenge. Pterional craniotomy is the traditional approach and is often associated with high-risk postsurgical morbidities. In the current presentation, we describe an elderly male with a clinoidal meningioma who underwent a minimally invasive supraorbital craniotomy for tumor resection. Patient presentation, neuroimaging, and surgical techniques (patient position, incision, anatomic consideration, and surgical steps) are described meticulously. Initial intraoperative steps include dissection via the corridor between the carotid artery and the tentorium, as well as exposing the tumor in the opticocarotid triangle, followed by tumor dissection using microsurgical techniques. Care must be taken to preserve the supraorbital nerve to prevent frontal numbness and avoid violation of the frontal sinus to prevent postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak. Emphasis on using this minimally invasive procedure for clinoidal meningiomas over the pterional approach for a select cohort of patients is laid, considering the cosmetic merits and adequate extent of tumor resection.