[Diagnosis and treatment of primary trigeminal neurilemmoma].

OBJECTIVE: A series of 51 patients with trigeminal neurillemmoma were analyzed with respect to the clinical manifestations, radiologic features, operative approaches and factors influencing tumor total resection. METHODS: Three different approaches were used to remove the tumors according to the site of tumor growth. Tumors in middle fossa were removed via extended middle fossa approach or extended transpterion approach. Dumbbel tumors on petrosal bone were resected by presigmoid approach. Retrosigmoid approach was used to excise tumors in posterior fossa. RESULTS: Tumors removed completely in 80.0% of patients, 75.0% of the patients had a normal cranial nerve function after operation. Tumors recurred in two patients 2 years after operation. CONCLUSION: The new operative approach increases the complete tumor resection rate.