Functional status of surgically treated pineal cyst patients.

BACKGROUND

Microsurgical removal represents a well-accepted treatment option for symptomatic benign pineal cysts (PCs). However, very few studies have quantitatively evaluated the functional status of surgically treated PC patients.

METHODS

A detailed analysis of preoperative, immediate postoperative, and long-term clinical and radiological characteristics was performed. The functional status of the patients was categorized using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and the Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOS). In addition, a comparative analysis between pediatric and adult patients with PCs was carried out.

RESULTS

Overall, pediatric patients experienced better long-term mRS scores than adults. The differences between the pre-, the immediate post-, and the last postoperative mRS of the patients were statistically significant for the total population ( < 0.001). All patients obtained a CCOS of 11 or more, which reflects a good/optimal result after microneurosurgery. The type of the surgical approach was independently associated with the postoperative complications ( < 0.01), more frequently reported with the midline supracerebellar infratentorial (SCIT) approach than with its paramedian modification.

CONCLUSION

The functional status of properly selected symptomatic patients with PCs may improve significantly after their surgical management through a paramedian SCIT approach in sitting position.