Intraoperative MRI for the microsurgical resection of meningiomas close to eloquent areas or dural sinuses: patient series.

Background: Meningiomas are the most commonly encountered nonglial primary intracranial tumors. The authors report on the usefulness of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) during microsurgical resection of meningiomas located close to eloquent areas or dural sinuses and on the feasibility of further radiation therapy.

Observations: Six patients benefited from this approach. The mean follow-up period after surgery was 3.3 (median 3.2, range 2.1-4.6) years. Five patients had no postoperative neurological deficit, of whom two with preoperative motor deficit completely recovered. One patient with preoperative left inferior limb deficit partially recovered. The mean interval between surgery and radiation therapy was 15.8 (median 16.9, range 1.4-40.5) months. Additional radiation therapy was required in five cases after surgery. The mean preoperative tumor volume was 38.7 (median 27.5, range 8.6-75.6) mL. The mean postoperative tumor volume was 1.2 (median 0.8, range 0-4.3) mL. At the last follow-up, all tumors were controlled.

Lessons: The use of iMRI was particularly helpful to (1) decide on additional tumor resection according to iMRI findings during the surgical procedure; (2) evaluate the residual tumor volume at the end of the surgery; and (3) judge the need for further radiation and, in particular, the feasibility of single-fraction radiosurgery.