Preoperative and postoperative auditory and facial nerve function in cerebellopontine angle meningiomas

Abstract

Preoperative and postoperative facial nerve and auditory function were reviewed retrospectively in 13 cases of cerebellopontine angle meningiomas. According to their location within the posterior fossa and with special reference to the internal auditory canal, they were classified into a premeatal and a retromeatal group. All the tumors were removed by an otoneurosurgical team by use of a retrosigmoid approach. Postoperative results (1 year after operation) were compared within the two groups with respect to preservation of hearing (normal hearing in 31% and preservation of preoperative hearing in 69% of the cases) and facial nerve function (no or mild postoperative impairment in 69% of the cases). Both preoperative and postoperative impairment of facial nerve and auditory function prevailed in the premeatal group. For preservation of vital vascular and central nervous structures, subtotal resection with consecutive fractionated radiation therapy had to be performed in 30% of the cases. Our results provide substantial evidence that in cerebellopontine angle meningiomas a precise preoperative study of tumor location will assist in improving individual operative strategy and thus postoperative functional results.

Headache after Removal of Vestibular Schwannoma Via the Retrosigmoid Approach: A Long‐Term Follow‐Up‐Study

“…The surgical approach to the posterior fossa has changed greatly during the past decades. Different surgical approaches have been successfully applied to enable access to the cerebellopontine angle for tumor removal: the suboccipital, the middle fossa, the retrosigmoid, and the translabyrinthine approach 1,2 . The discussion regarding which approach may be better continues.…”

“…Different surgical approaches have been successfully applied to enable access to the cerebellopontine angle for tumor removal: the suboccipital, the middle fossa, the retrosigmoid, and the translabyrinthine approach. 1,2 The discussion regarding which approach may be better continues. The retrosigmoid approach to the posterior fossa is a modification of the traditional neurosurgical suboccipital craniotomy.…”

“…The retrosigmoid approach to the posterior fossa is a modification of the traditional neurosurgical suboccipital craniotomy. It represents the most versatile surgical approach for tumors of the cerebellopontine angle 1,[3][4][5][6][7][8] and can be used for any size tumor, from intracanalicular to 40 mm or more from the porus. 8 In dealing with larger tumors, the skin incision may be lengthened to allow an inferior craniotomy, and the superoinferior diameter of the craniotomy may be extended to 50 mm or more.…”

A Surprise Diagnosis from a Unilateral Hearing Loss and Vertigo Case from Cerebellopontine Angle Tumor

“…Premeatal and retromeatal meningiomas have different clinical manifestations and symptoms. 2,4,8,11 In our study, all patients with facial pain and numbness had meningioma originating superior to the IAC. These tumors directly compress CN V posteriorly or inferiorly, thereby causing the symptoms of the face.…”