Extended transsphenoidal microsurgical approach for diaphragma sellae and tuberculum meningiomas.

Diaphragma sellae meningiomas represent a difficult challenge for neurosurgeons; they are generally operated on by a transcranial approach. Some authors reported transsphenoidal surgery in selected cases, but without accurately focusing the surgical technique that should be necessary for removing the typical hard fibrous tissue of the meningioma, that is not aspirable, by this approach. We present the surgical technique and the useful instrumentarium for removing a diaphragma sellae meningioma through an extended microsurgical transsphenoidal approach.