Surgical excision of trigeminal (V3) schwannoma through endoscopic transpterygoid approach

Abstract

Background:Endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid (EET) approach is well suited for trigeminal schwannomas.Case Description:A 25-year-old female presented with the right hemifacial pain for 1 month. Examination revealed mild sensory loss to both touch and pain in the right V2 and V3 dermatomal distribution. On magnetic resonance imaging, a well-defined extra-axial lesion was seen in the right infratemporal fossa extending intracranially, widening the foramen ovale. Erosion of the lateral pterygoid plate was evident on computed tomography. Diagnosis of a trigeminal schwannoma was made and excision through endoscopic transnasal transpterygoid approach was planned. After adequate nasal decongestion, lateralization of the inferior turbinate followed by medialization of middle turbinate done to expose the posterior part of the lateral nasal wall. Sphenopalatine foramen was visualized and the branches of the sphenopalatine artery to turbinate were coagulated followed by partial inferior and middle turbinectomy. Next, antegrade uncinectomy, bullectomy, and middle meatal antrostomy performed. Anterior and posterior ethmoidectomy was done to gain access to the sphenoid sinus. Medial maxillectomy done, posterior maxillary sinus wall exposed and drilled to reach infratemporal fossa harboring the tumor. The lateral recess was further exposed to visualize the vidian and maxillary nerves. Palatine bone and pterygoid body along with the medial pterygoid plate were completely drilled to expose the tumor capsule, which was gently dissected off. Complete tumor excision was performed uneventfully.Conclusion:EET provides a good oncological and functional outcome. With a lesser risk of surgical morbidities, it is an excellent alternative to conventional skull base approaches to trigeminal schwannomas in the modern era.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and simultaneous tumor biopsy in pineal region tumors using the “Single Burr Hole” technique: An analysis of 34 cases

“…With more technical advances in neuroendoscopy,[ 13 14 15 ] an endoscopic biopsy from intraventricular and paraventricular regions has become increasingly popular. Ellenbogen and Moores first described simultaneous ETV and biopsy in 1997.…”

Endoscopic endonasal approaches to the skull base tumors: minimally-invasive approach with achievement of radicality. Our experience

“…Tumors of the infratemporal fossa, pterygopalatine fossa are difficult to approach with standard EET rout [10,11,16]. To achieve lateral exposure, EET extended transpterygoid approach was used [16].…”

“…Pioneers in endoscopic pituitary surgery, Jho and Carrau, reported their technique and results using endoscopic approach for tumor resection in 1997 and 1998, respectively [4]. Nowadays endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach allows achieving direct approach to the sella region and widely expose parasellar region [6][7][8], Meckel's cave [8], pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae [9][10][11]. Complete tumor resection is challenging to achieve by standard endoscopic endonasal technique [2,7,10,11].…”

“…Nowadays endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach allows achieving direct approach to the sella region and widely expose parasellar region [6][7][8], Meckel's cave [8], pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae [9][10][11]. Complete tumor resection is challenging to achieve by standard endoscopic endonasal technique [2,7,10,11]. Extended endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal (EET) approach might simplify procedure and is discussed here as a method to treat intra-, extracranial skull base tumors.…”

Coexistent pituitary adenoma and frontal convexity meningioma with frontal sinus invasion: A rare association

“…There is a well-known association of meningiomas with neurofibromas and gliomas (neurofibromatosis, NF Type I) and schwannoma (NF Type II). [ 1 , 7 , 11 , 10 , 16 ] Coexistent meningioma and PA, like other collision tumors elsewhere,[ 12 ] in the same patient are a rare occurrence, especially after excluding postradiation therapy meningiomas. There are several reports in the literature documenting the concurrent PA and meningiomas in the same patient.…”