Foramen Magnum Meningiomas
Preoperative Considerations • Meningiomas accounts for 77% of all non-cancerous intradural, extramedullary tumors of the craniocervical junction. • The foramen magnum (FM) region is a complex surgical area. Tumors may…
Vestibular Schwannomas
Preoperative Considerations • Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) or acoustic neuromas arise from the Schwann cells forming the sheath (covering) of the vestibulocochlear nerve. Most of these tumors arise from the superior…
Approaches to the Orbit
The orbit is an area that neurosurgeons may approach for orbital tumors with an intracranial component or as a corridor to access the anterior cranial fossa. Approaches to the orbit…
Approaches to the Temporal Bone: Basic Principles
In this chapter we will introduce the anatomy and some key steps for the three most relevant approaches to the temporal bone for the neurosurgeon: the subtemporal or middle fossa…
Parasellar Tumors
Preoperative Considerations • The parasellar region is an extensive area that includes the structures that surround the sella turcica. It includes laterally the dural walls of the cavernous sinus, which…
Combined Transmaxillary and Subfrontal Approach
Indications • Subfrontal approaches are mainly used to access the floor of the anterior cranial fossa, anterior midline parasellar structures, like the tuberculum sellae, anterior communicating artery, optic chiasm, posterior…
Sphenoid Wing Meningiomas
Indications and Preoperative Considerations • Meningiomas are one of the most frequently occurring intracranial primary tumors. Sphenoid wing meningiomas (SWMs) represent up to 18% of intracranial meningiomas. Those are anatomically…
Invasive Pituitary Adenomas
Preoperative Considerations • Pituitary adenomas are benign epithelial neoplasms derived from the pituitary glands. In the absence of a macroscopic capsule, those lesions can infiltrate adjacent structures such as the…
Clival Chordomas
Preoperative Considerations • Chordomas are locally aggressive neoplasms that arise from embryonic remnants of the notochord along the vertebral axis. They represent less than 1% of all intracranial neoplasms. They…
Techniques for Skull Base Reconstruction in Endoscopic Surgery
Indications and Preoperative Considerations • Postoperative CSF leak is one of the most important complications secondary to endoscopic skull base surgery. • Skull base reconstruction techniques have been instrumental for…
