Transcavernous Approach for Gross Total Resection of a Dumbbell-Shaped Giant Trigeminal Schwannoma

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Transcavernous Approach for Gross Total Resection of a Dumbbell-Shaped Giant Trigeminal Schwannoma Via Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base J Neurol Surg B Skull Base DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729995 Trigeminal schwannomas are rare nerve sheet tumors that represent the second most common intracranial site of occurrence after vestibular nerve origins. Microsurgical resection of giant dumbbell-shaped trigeminal schwannomas often requires complex skull base approaches. The extradural transcavernous approach is effective for the resection of these giant tumors involving the cavernous sinus.The patient is a 72-year-old man with headache, dizziness, imbalance, and cognitive decline. Neurological examination revealed left-sided sixth nerve palsy, a diminished corneal reflex, and wasting of temporalis muscle. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a giant homogeneously e nhancing dumbbell-shaped extra-axial mass centered within the left cavernous sinus, Meckel's cave, and the petrous apex, with extension to the cerebellopontine angle. There was a significant mass effect on the brain stem causing hydrocephalus. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed erosion of the petrous apex resulting in partial anterior autopetrosectomy (Figs. 1 and 2).The decision was made to proceed with tumor resection using a transcavernous approach. Gross total resection was achieved. The surgery and postoperative course were uneventful, and the patient woke up the same as in the preoperative period. MRI confirmed gross total resection of the tumor. The histopathology was a trigeminal schwannoma, World Health Organization (WHO) grade I. The patient continues to do well without any recurrence at 15-month follow-up.This video demonstrates important steps of the microsurgical skull base techniques for resection of these challenging tumors.The link to the video can be found at http s://youtu.be/TMK5363836M [...] Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany Article in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  open access Full text View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.