Benefits of combined use of ⁶⁸⁻Ga Dotatoc and 5-ALA fluorescence for recurrent atypical skull-base meningioma after previous microsurgery and Gamma Knife radiosurgery: a case report

Studies of novel microsurgical adjuncts, such as 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence have shown various fluorescence patterns within meningiomas, opening new avenues for complete microsurgical resection. Here, we present a recurrent, radiation-induced meningioma, previously operated on two occasions (initial gross total resection and subtotal 12 years later) and also irradiated by Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKR, 6 years after the first surgery). We thought to assess the usefulness of ⁶⁸⁻Ga Dotatoc in surgical target planning and of 5-ALA as an adjunct for maximal microsurgical excision.

We report on a 43 years-old Caucasian male diagnosed with atypical, radiation induced WHO II meningioma, with left basal temporal bone implantation. Hodgkin lymphoma treated with cranial and mediastinal radiation during infancy marked his personal history. He underwent a first gross total microsurgical resection, followed 6 and 12 years later by Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKR) and second subtotal microsurgical resection, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) displayed new recurrence 13 years after initial diagnosis. He was clinically asymptomatic but routine Magnetic resonance imaging showed constant progression. There was strong ⁶⁸⁻Ga Dotatoc uptake. We used 5-ALA guided microsurgical resection. Intraoperative views confirmed strong fluorescence, in concordance with both preoperative Magnetic resonance imaging enhancement and ⁶⁸⁻Ga Dotatoc. The tumor was completely removed, with meningeal and bone resection.

The authors conclude that fluorescence-guided resection using 5-ALA is useful for recurrent atypical, radiation-induced meningioma even despite previous irradiation and multiple recurrences.