The Dural Dark-Side Approach for falcine and tentorial meningioma: A surgical series of five patients.

INTRODUCTION: Falcine or tentorial meningioma can be complex to resect. When large meningiomas are located in eloquent areas, a direct ipsilateral surgical approach may cause brain injury and postoperative neurological deficits. In this series, 5 patients were surgically treated using a contralateral transfalcine or transtentorial approach to minimize brain retraction. This strategy was called the Dural Dark-Side Approach (DDSA). The aim was to analyze the quality of tumor resection and postoperative outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our department, from June 2018 to January 2020, 5 patients underwent microsurgical DDSA for resection of 4 falcine and 1 tentorial meningioma. All tumors were selected on the following two criteria: large>40mm diameter tumor, with surrounding functional cortex. Clinical and radiologic data were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Mean follow-up was 20 months. No patients required use of a rigid retractor during surgery. Gross total resection was performed in 3 patients and near-total resection in 2. All patients had favorable neurologic outcome. Postoperative MRI showed no ipsilateral or contralateral brain lesions. CONCLUSION: This series suggested that meticulous DDSA allows excellent resection in selected large falcine or tentorial meningioma. The approach offered a safe and effective surgical corridor without injuring the surrounding healthy parenchyma.

A unique case of pure lateral spinal cord herniation.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord herniation (SCH) remains a challenging diagnosis for neuroradiologists and may require treatment challenging for neurosurgeons. Most cord herniations are usually found at anterior thoracic levels. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old woman presented at our department with a 7-year history of progressive myelopathy. MR analysis showed a displacement of the spinal cord in a lateral thoracic dural defect. The herniated cord was released using a microscope and the patient significantly recovered 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: We present a unique case of pure lateral SCH. In the light of reviewed literature and operative findings, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed.