Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection
Published on: August 15, 2025
Mini supraorbital approach to inferior frontal lobe cavernous malformations: case series
Michael E Ivan1, Michael T Lawton
1Department of Neurosurgery, UCSF, San Francisco, California 94143-0112, United States. ivanm@neurosurg.ucsf.edu
Background:
Anterior surgical approaches to the inferior frontal lobe require large craniotomies with long incisions and some risk of cosmetic defects and surgical morbidity. A mini supraorbital keyhole approach is an alternative to these larger craniotomies. Inferior frontal lobe cavernous malformations are an excellent target for this minimally invasive approach, and we present our experience with two patients.
Methods:
Two patients with inferior frontal lobe cavernous malformations underwent elective resection of their cavernous malformations through a mini supraorbital craniotomy. The subfrontal exposure opened widely after draining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the carotid cistern to relax the brain. Hemosiderin staining helped identify the underlying cavernous malformations.
Results:
Both lesions were completely resected. No intraoperative complications, CSF leaks, or neurological deficits were observed.
Conclusion:
The mini supraorbital keyhole craniotomy with microsurgical technique and neuronavigation is an effective approach for treating cavernous malformations in the inferior frontal lobe. This minimally invasive approach reduces incision size, craniotomy size, and associated complications while enhancing cosmetic outcomes.
