[Microsurgical treatment of trigeminel neurinomas with middle fossa extradural approach].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effect of microsurgical treatment of 15 cases of trigeminel neurinomas with middle fossa extradural approach. METHODS: The clinical materials included the main clinical manifestations, preoperative CT and MRI features, operative techniques, and the outcome of 15 patients with trigeminel neurinomas were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Total resection was achieved in 12 of the 15 patients and subtotal resection in the other 3 patients. Ninety-four percent of the cranial nerve deficit was improved or unchanged, and only 6% of cranial nerve palsy worsened, postoperatively. None of the patients had new cranial nerve deficit after the operation, and there was not operative mortality. Twelve patients were followed up for 2-40 months and no recurrence of tumors was found. CONCLUSION: This approach may be ideal for removing big trigeminal neurinomas safely and radically and can decrease the postoperative complication and mortality.