Far Lateral Approach for Malignant, Severely Calcified Cerebellopontine Angle Tumor

Abstract

Background The far-lateral approach is an effective skull base technique that provides access to the lower clivus and premedullary area. This approach is also useful for maximal visualization and resection of large posterior fossa tumors with extensive medial extension, especially when aggressive resection is ideal for a malignant tumor in a young patient, or it is technically challenging because of tumor calcification. We demonstrate a microsurgical operative video to describe technical pearls in this difficult situation.

Case Presentation A 45-year-old man with history of “hoarseness” for up to two decades was presented with imbalance and mild dysphagia over 3 years. Imaging demonstrated a 55-mm left cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumor extending medially across the midline with severe calcification ([Figs. 1] and [2]). His neurological examination revealed left facial numbness, complete left facial weakness, left deafness, complete left vocal paralysis, as well as severe left hemibody ataxia. The tumor was resected via a left suboccipital craniotomy with far lateral approach including drilling to the occipital condyle and C1 laminectomy. Initial manipulation of the inferior pole of the tumor resulted in asystole which was managed successfully with glycol pyrolate. Pathology demonstrated IDH-1 wild type, MGMT-methylated glioblastoma. The patient subsequently underwent adjuvant chemoradiation.

Conclusion The far-lateral approach is an effective approach for maximal safe resection of a malignant brainstem, cerebellar, and CPA tumor.

The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/AIGebJPJEnw.

Keywords

calcified tumor - cerebellopontine angle tumor - far lateral approach - glioblastoma

Fig. 1 Preoperative axial image of computed tomography (CT) demonstrates prominently calcified lesion in the left cerebellopontine angle (CPA).

Fig. 2 Preoperative axial T2-weighted image of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates a 55-mm left cerebellopontine angle (CPA) lesion that extends across the midline to displace the medulla contralaterally.

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Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Publication History

Received: 26 February 2019

Accepted: 13 January 2020

Article published online:
17 November 2020