Published in:
Open Access
01-02-2011 | Clinical Article
Natural history of spheno-orbital meningiomas
Authors:
Peerooz Saeed, Wouter R. van Furth, Michael Tanck, Fabio Kooremans, Nicole Freling, Geert I. Streekstra, Noortje I. Regensburg, Jan Willem Berkelbach van der Sprenkel, Saskia M. Peerdeman, Jakobus J. van Overbeeke, Maarten P. Mourits
Published in:
Acta Neurochirurgica
|
Issue 2/2011
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Abstract
Background
To investigate the natural history and the growth rate of spheno-orbital meningiomas (SOMs).
Methods
Ninety patients with a diagnosis of SOM were included, and patient charts and imaging were evaluated. In a subset of 32 patients, volumetric studies were performed.
Results
The median follow-up for the entire group was 4 years (range, 1–15); the mean age was 47.8 (range, 26–93) years; 94% of the patients were female. The most common clinical signs and symptoms were proptosis (93%), visual deterioration (65%), retro-bulbar pain (23%) and diplopia (6%). In 35% of patients in this series, no visual deterioration occurred, and in 30% only mild proptosis was present. The median annual growth rate of the SOMs in the subset of 32 patients was 0.3 cm3/year (range, 0.03–1.8 cm3/year). We assessed a trend for more rapid tumour growth in younger patients and found the initial volume of the tumour (rho = 0.63) and of the soft tissue component (rho = 074) to be significantly related to the growth rate.
Conclusion
SOMs are slow-growing tumours that cause primarily proptosis and visual deterioration. In a significant number of patients, these tumours cause minimal discomfort and symptomatology. Therefore, in the absence of risk factors, we advocate a “wait and see” policy. For patients with large SOMs or with a large soft tissue component at first visit or with fast growing SOMs (>1cm3/year), a follow-up examination every 6 months is indicated.