Management of lateral skull base tumours

Abstract

Lateral skull base tumours arise from overlying skin, parotid, temporal bone, mandible, muscle or the vasculature and they spread in midst of important neurovascular structures. This makes their diagnosis and management challenging. These tumours are primarily dealt with surgery which can be extensive, functionally disabling and cosmetically disfiguring. Tumour biology, involvement of the internal carotid artery and cranial nerves play key roles in management of these tumours. This review will focus on management of common tumours afflicting the lateral skull base.

Surgical management and follow-up of lateral skull base tumors: An 8-year review

“…Imaging modalities such as computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are of great importance for determining the extent of the lesion, to depict its relationship with vital vessels, to rule out any intracranial involvement, to assess its resectability, and to guide the operating Surgical management and follow-up of lateral skull base tumors: An 8-year review surgeon through planning the right surgical approach (2,5). We make a comparison between a contrast computerized tomographic (CT) scan and a basic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and we consider that MRI with gadolinium is preferred to CT in terms of diagnosing LSBTs with the exception of its cost.…”

“…Most of the skull base tumors treated by oral and maxillofacial surgery mainly involve the lateral skull base (LSB). The anatomy of this area had been described in detail: This area is a well-concealed and complex anatomical region with significant functions and narrow surgery view (1)(2)(3). All of these account for the diversity of surgical approaches for removal of lateral skull base tumors (LSBTs).…”