Supplementary motor area syndrome (SMAS) represents a common neurosurgical sequela. The incidence and time frame of its occurrence have yet to be characterized after surgery for brain tumors. We examined patients suffering from a brain tumor preoperatively, postoperatively, and during follow-up examinations after three months, including fine motor skills testing and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). 13 patients suffering from a tumor in the dorsal part of the superior frontal gyrus underwent preoperative, early postoperative, and 3-month follow-up testing of fine motor skills using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JHFT) and the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT) consisting of 8 subtests for both upper extremities. They completed TMS for cortical motor function mapping. Test completion times (TCTs) were recorded and compared. No patient suffered from neurological deficits before surgery. On postoperative day one, we detected motor deficits in two patients, which remained clinically stable at a 3-month follow-up. Except for page-turning, every subtest indicated a significant worsening of function, reflected by longer TCTs (p < 0.05) in the postoperative examinations for the contralateral upper extremity (contralateral to the tumor manifestation). At 3-month follow-up examinations for the contralateral upper extremity, each subtest indicated significant worsening compared to the preoperative status despite improvement to the immediate postoperative level. We also detected significantly longer TCTs (p < 0.05) postoperatively in the ipsilateral upper extremity. This study suggests a long-term worsening of fine motor skills even three months after SMA tumor resection, indicating the necessity of targeted physical therapy for these patients.

Colloid cysts of the third ventricle are benign brain lesions that may obstruct cerebrospinal fluid flow within the ventricular system and cause symptoms like headaches, deterioration of vision, and acute hydrocephalus. What is the clinical outcome of surgical treatment of third ventricle colloid cysts, and what factors are influencing long-term complications? In this multicenter retrospective cohort study performed between 2008 and 2023, we assessed the preoperative clinical status, the colloid cyst risk score, surgical techniques, and the clinical outcome of patients undergoing surgical cyst resection for incidental and symptomatic colloid cysts of the third ventricle. We specifically focused on long-term data such as shunt dependency and postoperative complications. In total, 190 patients were included. Most presented with headaches (75,3%), while 25% showed signs of acute and 36% signs of chronic hydrocephalus. In 23% of the patients, short-term memory was impaired. The surgical treatment presented a safe and definite treatment, with wound healing disorders (6.3%) and CSF leakage (4.7%) being the most frequently encountered complications. Only 5.3% showed a postoperative shunt dependency. The surgical treatment of colloid cysts of the third ventricle represents a safe procedure. Acute hydrocephalus was observed more frequently than previously described, and shunt dependency after surgery was low. (211/250 words)