Analysis of 55 Adult Cases Surgically Treated for Pontocerebellar Angle Tumors

Abstract

Objective: Pontocerebellar angle (PCA) tumors, although typically of benign nature, are of significant clinical and pathological importance. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of PCA tumors, as well as surgical outcomes, which hold a significant place in clinical practice. Methods: 55 adult patients who underwent surgery for PCA tumors at the Department of Neurosurgery, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, between 2013 and 2023 were included in the study. The clinical and pathological records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The age of the patients (17 male, 38 female) ranged from 18 to 75 years. According to pathological diagnosis, 23 cases were diagnosed as meningioma, 19 as schwannoma, 6 as epidermoid tumors, 2 as metastases, 1 as hemangioblastoma, 1 as hemangioma, 1 as medulloblastoma, 1 as neuroblastoma, and 1 as small round cell tumor. Gross total resection was achieved in all cases. Overall, 47.3% of the patients had one or more postoperative complications. Postoperative permanent facial palsy developed in 6 patients. The overall mortality rate was 9%. Conclusion: PCA tumors constitute a significant group among intracranial tumors. Surgical treatment is an important option for the management of these tumors. Primary goal of the surgery is gross total resection which is feasible in today. Though postoperative complications are common, majority of them is temporary.