[Microsurgical treatment of giant cell tumor of skull].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the diagnosis and microsurgical treatment of giant cell tumor (GCT) of skull.

METHODS

The investigators reviewed the clinical features, operative approach and prognosis of 23 consecutive cases of GCT of skull operated at our department between July 2000 and November 2008.

RESULTS

Headache was the most common presenting symptom (86.96%) found among the patients with GCT of skull. Besides, the symptoms induced by the consequent lesions of II-XII intracranial nerves were also commonly observed. The mean duration of symptoms was 29.3 months and the mean preoperative KPS (Karnofsky performance scale) was 76 +/- 6. Among these cases, 10 tumors occurred in sphenoid bone, 9 in temporal bone, 3 in posterior fossa and 1 in frontal bone. Gross total resections were achieved in 6 cases, subtotal resections in 10 cases and partial resections in 7 cases. There was no operative death case. The follow-up data of 18 patients (78.26%) were collected with a mean follow-up duration of 35.5 months. All patients lived in normal postoperative life.

CONCLUSION

GCT of skull is a generally low-degree malignancy showing a local bone invasion mostly in sphenoid and temporal bones.