Lesions in Meckel's cave: variable presentation and pathology

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 684-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Beck ◽  
Arnold H. Menezes

✓ A series of 12 patients with mass lesions arising from Meckel's cave is presented. Patients' age on presentation ranged from 13 months to 71 years. Nine of the 12 patients had symptoms referable to the fifth cranial nerve, but only three complained of facial pain. The 12 patients presented eight different pathological entities, including meningioma, lipoma, schwannoma, malignant melanotic schwannoma, arachnoid cyst, neurofibroma, epidermoid tumor, and chordoma. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were most useful in localizing the lesion to Meckel's cave. All 12 patients underwent a subtemporal approach to the lesion, and gross total removal was achieved in 11. Postoperative results were excellent with no increased neurological deficits seen 3 months postoperatively. Most patients had resolution of the cranial nerve deficits except for fifth nerve function, which was impaired in nine patients postoperatively. This series demonstrates that lesions in Meckel's cave can have a varied and unusual presentation, as well as an assortment of pathology. Total removal of lesions in this area resulted in relief of symptoms in most patients, with minimum morbidity.

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madjid Samii ◽  
Marcos Tatagiba ◽  
Gustavo A. Carvalho

Object. The goal of this study was to determine whether some petroclival tumors can be safely and efficiently treated using a modified retrosigmoid petrosal approach that is called the retrosigmoid intradural suprameatal approach (RISA).Methods. The RISA was introduced in 1983, and since that time 12 patients harboring petroclival meningiomas have been treated using this technique. The RISA includes a retrosigmoid craniotomy and drilling of the suprameatus petrous bone, which is located above and anterior to the internal auditory meatus, thus providing access to Meckel's cave and the middle fossa.Radical tumor resection (Simpson Grade I or II) was achieved in nine (75%) of the 12 patients. Two patients underwent subtotal resection (Simpson Grade III), and one patient underwent complete resection of tumor at the posterior fossa with subtotal resection at the middle fossa. There were no deaths or severe complications in this series; all patients did well postoperatively, being independent at the time of their last follow-up examinations (mean 5.6 years). Neurological deficits included facial paresis in one patient and worsening of hearing in two patients.Conclusions. Theapproach described here is a useful modification of the retrosigmoid approach, which allows resection of large petroclival tumors without the need for supratentorial craniotomies. Although technically meticulous, this approach is not time-consuming; it is safe and can produce good results. This is the first report on the use of this approach for petroclival meningiomas.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. E10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih-Hsiang Liao ◽  
Jui-To Wang ◽  
Chun-Fu Lin ◽  
Shao-Ching Chen ◽  
Chung-Jung Lin ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEDespite the advances in skull base techniques, large petroclival meningiomas (PCMs) still pose a challenge to neurosurgeons. The authors’ objective of this study was to describe a pretemporal trans–Meckel’s cave transtentorial approach for large PCMs and to report the surgical outcomes.METHODSFrom 2014 to 2017, patients harboring large PCMs (> 3 cm) and undergoing their first resection via this procedure at the authors’ institute were included. In combination with pretemporal transcavernous and anterior transpetrosal approaches, the trans–Meckel’s cave transtentorial route was created. Surgical details are described and a video demonstrating the procedure is included. Retrospective review of the medical records and imaging studies was performed.RESULTSA total of 18 patients (6 men and 12 women) were included in this study, with mean age of 53 years. The mean sizes of the preoperative and postoperative PCMs were 4.36 cm × 4.09 cm × 4.13 cm (length × width × height) and 0.83 cm × 1.08 cm × 0.75 cm, respectively. Gross-total removal was performed in 7 patients, near-total removal (> 95%) in 7 patients, and subtotal removal in 4 patients (> 90% in 3 patients and > 85% in 1 patient). There were no surgical deaths or patients with postoperative hemiplegia. Surgical complications included transient cranial nerve (CN) III palsy (all patients, resolved in 3 months), transient CN VI palsy (2 patients), CN IV palsy (3 patients, partial recovery), hydrocephalus (3 patients), and CSF otorrhea (1 patient). Temporal lobe retraction–related neurological deficits were not observed.CONCLUSIONSA pretemporal trans–Meckel’s cave transtentorial approach offers large surgical exposure and multiple trajectories to the suprasellar, interpeduncular, prepontine, and upper-half clival regions without overt traction, which is mandatory to remove large PCMs. To unlock Meckel’s cave where a large PCM lies abutting the cave, pretemporal transcavernous and anterior transpetrosal approaches are prerequisites to create adequate exposure for the final trans–Meckel’s cave step.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 951-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuhiko Miyazawa ◽  
Hiromichi Yamazaki ◽  
Tetsuo Wakao ◽  
Hideaki Nukui

Abstract Lesions of Meckel's cave are extremely uncommon and difficult to diagnose. The symptoms and signs are variable, and the lesion may not appear on routine roentgenographic or computed tomographic examination. A patient with a small epidermoid tumor of Meckel's cave that was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging is herein reported. The epidermoid appeared as a low-intensity mass on the T1-weighted image and as a high-intensity mass on the T2-weighted image. Coronal sections defined the anatomic relationship to the trigeminal nerve. Preoperative recordings of the trigeminal sensory evoked response may be predictive of postoperative recovery of neurological deficits. Furthermore, intraoperative recording was extremely useful in avoiding inadvertent neurological injury. Review of the literature confirms the rarity of this lesion and the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing it, although based on a limited number of cases.


2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 701-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi ARAI ◽  
Takashi SASAYAMA ◽  
Junji KOYAMA ◽  
Atsushi FUJITA ◽  
Kohkichi HOSODA ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. E172-E173
Author(s):  
Ken Matsushima ◽  
Michihiro Kohno ◽  
Nobuyuki Nakajima ◽  
Norio Ichimasu

Abstract The combined transpetrosal approach enables wide exposure around the petroclival region by cutting the tentorium and superior petrosal sinus. We often choose this approach for removal of tumors ventral to the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves, such as petroclival meningioma and epidermoid cyst, because complete removal of the tumor under direct visualization is required to prevent its later recurrence, especially in young patients. Recent reports revealed anatomical variations of the drainage of the superior petrosal sinus, and dural incision considering preservation of the superior petrosal vein was proposed.1-3 This 3-dimensional video shows a patient with an epidermoid cyst, which was surgically treated using the combined transpetrosal approach, with consideration of the variation of the superior petrosal sinus and preservation of the drainage route of the superior petrosal vein. The video was reproduced after informed consent of the patient. The patient is a 31-yr-old woman who presented with a left cerebellopontine angle epidermoid cyst extending into Meckel's cave. The superior petrosal sinus was of the lateral type, draining only laterally into the transverse–sigmoid junction without medial connection with the cavernous sinus.1 The combined transpetrosal approach was performed with cutting of the superior petrosal sinus medial to the entry point of the superior petrosal vein, in order to preserve its drainage into the transverse–sigmoid junction. Meckel’ cave was opened along its lateral margin, and tumor removal was accomplished, leaving only a minute part of the capsule strongly adhering to the neurovascular structures. The patient had no new permanent neurological deficits during follow-up. The figures in the video were modified from Matsushima et al1 by permission of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.


1987 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinsuke Ueda ◽  
Akihito Saito ◽  
Shigeo Inomori ◽  
Ilu Kim

✓ A case of a cavernous angioma of the cauda equina is presented. The patient was a 28-year-old man who experienced sudden low-back pain and headache without neurological symptoms. Lumbar puncture revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage. He had suffered a similar episode 3 years previously. Selective spinal angiography did not demonstrate any abnormal vascularity. Metrizamide myelography and magnetic resonance imaging were useful in demonstrating the presence of a tumor. Laminectomy at L1–3 and total removal of the tumor were performed without neurological deficit.


1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Fehlings ◽  
William S. Tucker

✓ A case of a cavernous hemangioma located within Meckel's cave and involving the gasserian ganglion is described in a patient presenting with facial pain and a trigeminal nerve deficit. Although these lesions have been reported to occur in the middle fossa, this is believed to be the first case of such a vascular malformation arising solely from within Meckel's cave.


1979 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter E. Sheptak ◽  
Peter J. Jannetta

✓ Total removal of huge acoustic neurinomas was carried out in 23 patients by means of a two-stage suboccipital transmeatal approach with microsurgical technique. There was no operative mortality. Good results were obtained in 18 (78%) of the patients who have returned to normal activities or full-time employment. Five patients (22%) have residual preoperative neurological deficits causing a reduced level of activity. All of these, except one, are able to care for themselves. None of the patients has had any further significant neurological deficit caused by the operative procedures. Anatomical integrity of the facial nerve was maintained in 17 patients (74%). Surgical technique, operative morbidity, and results are thoroughly discussed. The potential advantages of this technique are stressed.


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