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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Published on: July 5, 2021
Extracranial lower cranial nerve sheath tumors
J P Leonetti1, B Wachter, S J Marzo
1Center for Cranial Base Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S First Ave., Maywood, IL 60153, USA. jleonet@LUMC.edu
Objective:
The purpose of this article is to review the clinicoradiographic features of lower cranial nerve sheath tumors and to outline surgical approaches that allow the safe and complete resection of these lesions.
Methods:
Thirteen patients with lower cranial nerve sheath tumors of the infratemporal fossa were surgically treated between 7/88 and 10/99. A retrospective chart analysis provided details pertaining to clinical manifestations, radiographic assessment, intraoperative findings, tumor histology, and postoperative results.
Results:
The most common presenting symptoms were neck pressure and voice change while submucosal palatal fullness and vocal cord paralysis were the most common presenting signs. All tumors were removed via lateral skull base approaches and the most common postoperative sequelae was dysphasia.
Conclusion:
Lower cranial nerve sheath tumors of the infratemporal fossa usually reach considerable size before diagnosis because of a naturally slow growth rate in this relatively silent location. The safe surgical removal of these tumors, based on superior control of the internal carotid artery, can be achieved through the use of contemporary lateral skull base techniques.
