ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: We present a prospective series of tuberculum sellae meningioma (TSM) resected via a superior interhemispheric (IH) approach in 10 patients who preoperatively and postoperatively underwent extensive olfaction testing using a standardised test battery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study evaluated the olfactory function after TSM resection. The resection was performed via a superior interhemispheric (IH) approach. The quantitative and qualitative analyses of the olfactory function were assessed with the Biolfa(®) olfactory test (at 6 months). RESULTS: Between November 2009 and April 2012, 10 consecutive patients with symptomatic TSM and preserved olfactory function were operated via a superior IH approach. For the self-evaluation criteria of the olfactory function, the mean preoperative visual analog scale score was 8.8. The mean preoperative total quantitative (/27) scored 18.2 ± 6.3 for this cohort of 10 patients. In the postoperative period, the mean total score decreased non-significantly to 15.8 ± 8.8 (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.085). The mean preoperative qualitative score (/8) was 5.5 ± 1.7 and in the postoperative period decreased, non-significantly, to 4.7 ± 2.6 (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.12). The olfactory function was quantitatively and qualitatively preserved in 6 patients (60%), but a postoperative deterioration occurred in 2 (20%) and an anosmia in 2 (20%). Size and invasive characteristics of the meningioma determined the post-surgical deterioration. CONCLUSION: Olfaction is an important factor of emotional and social life, which needs to be integrated into the challenge regarding the resection of TSM. The risks of nerve damage are reviewed.
