[A case of middle cranial fossa meningioma extending into the infratemporal fossa: an approach to the pterygoid extension of the sphenoid sinus via the infratemporal fossa]

No Shinkei Geka. 1996 Jul;24(7):643-8.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A case of middle cranial fossa meningioma extending into infratemporal fossa and the pterygoid process is presented. The patient had a sphenoid sinus extending inferolaterally into the pterygoid process, which is known as pterygoid extension of the sphenoid sinus. This type of variation of the sphenoid sinus allowed a safe and well-oriented approach to the pterygoid process via the infratemporal fossa. The tumor extending into the pterygoid process was removed successfully without damaging any surrounding structures, e.g. maxillary nerve or Vidian nerve. However, pterygoid extension of the sinus is seen in only 40% of cases. Therefore, close preoperative examination with bone window CT scan is mandatory before employing this approach.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior / diagnostic imaging
  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior / pathology
  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Meningioma / pathology
  • Meningioma / surgery*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Skull Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Skull Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skull Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Sphenoid Sinus / diagnostic imaging
  • Sphenoid Sinus / pathology
  • Sphenoid Sinus / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed