The complete anterior petrosectomy: an expanded extended-middle fossa approach with removal of the infratrigeminal petrous apex and drilling of the lateral clivus

TitleThe complete anterior petrosectomy: an expanded extended-middle fossa approach with removal of the infratrigeminal petrous apex and drilling of the lateral clivus
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsLiu C, Evins AI, Atchley TJ, Surdell DL, Thorell WE, Nonaka M, Stieg PE, Bernardo A
JournalJ Neurosurg
Volume141
Issue1
Pagination195-203
Date Published2024 Jul 01
ISSN1933-0693
KeywordsCarotid Artery, Internal, Cranial Fossa, Middle, Cranial Fossa, Posterior, Humans, Neurosurgical Procedures, Petrous Bone, Skull Base Neoplasms
Abstract

Intradural exposure in the extended middle fossa anterior transpetrosal approach is traditionally limited to the inferior petrosal sinus inferomedially. Expanding bone removal of the petrous apex around the petrous internal carotid artery (ICA), underneath the trigeminal ganglion/mandibular nerve, and into the lateral component of the clivus can significantly expand the limits of this approach beyond the inferior petrosal sinus and allows for exposure of the midline structures, aspects of the contralateral inferior clival region, and, when high riding, the vertebrobasilar junction. To date, no descriptive techniques for drilling into the lateral clivus in this approach have been published. The authors provide a detailed stepwise description of their complete anterior petrosectomy, in use at their institution, that involves skeletonization of the posteromedial petrous ICA, gentle elevation of the trigeminal ganglion/mandibular nerve, removal of the infratrigeminal petrous apex, and two techniques for drilling into the lateral clivus along the petroclival fissure. These techniques provide a direct and unobstructed corridor to the midpetroclival region and ventral brainstem with greater maneuverability and enhanced control of the midline structures, which is especially useful for resection of petroclival meningiomas, chondrosarcomas, and giant vascular lesions of the mid- and upper basilar artery and its proximal branches.

DOI10.3171/2023.11.JNS231303
Alternate JournalJ Neurosurg
PubMed ID38241665