Cavernous sinus meningiomas.

Analysing 12 cases of cavernous sinus meningiomas the authors conclude that: the clinical history is characteristic; CT scan has proved to be more sensitive than carotid angiography in detecting small lesions. However in large lesions the vascular supply pattern is the only feature that exactly identifies the site of the lesion. Both angiography and CT scan allow a near definitive diagnosis of meningioma; because of their location it is almost always impossible to remove these tumours completely. Actually the best treatment is a piecemeal subtotal microsurgical removal via a subtemporal approach. Radiotherapy is indicated for partially resected lesions. On the basis of the revision of the anatomy of this region and looking forward to a widespread use of the Cavitron in neurosurgery, a more radical approach to this lesion is foreseen.