Treatment of communicating tumor of the anterior and middle cranial fossa by the pteronal approach

Objective To summarize the operative experience of 7 cases with communicating tumor at the anterior and middle cranial fossa. Methods Seven patients, among whom 3 had tumor invading the orbit and 4 had tumor involving the zygomatic fossa, were operated on by the pteronal approach. The extradural approach was used in 5 patients and the extra-intradural approach was used in the other 2 patients. Results Total removal of tumor was achieved in 6 patients and subtotal removeal in the other patient. Conclusion The pteronal approach, which is easy to expose, to master and to alter is ideal in removing communicating tumor at the anterial and middle cranial fossa. The method of reconstructing the skull base by the use of temporal muscles to fill up the cavity after the tumor resection and the rotating periosteum of the frontal bone to repair the dura mater defect is effective to prevent various complications.