Anatomy of the combined retrolabyrinthine–middle fossa craniotomy

Abstract

The goal of combined retrolabyrinthine–middle fossa craniotomy is to provide exposure of both the middle and posterior cranial fossae via a partial petrosectomy and division of the tentorium. Its major benefits over others are that hearing and facial nerve function are preserved and only minimal brain retraction is required. The retrolabyrinthine approach involves a presigmoid posterior fossa craniotomy that preserves the structures of the inner ear. Additionally, a middle fossa craniotomy, extending to the zygomatic root, is performed to gain access to the superior aspect of the temporal bone in the middle cranial fossa. This approach works well in cases of lesions involving the petroclival junction, including petroclival meningiomas, trigeminal schwannomas, epidermoids, and large chondrosarcomas or chordomas with intradural components. The authors describe the surgical technique of this approach.