Diagnosis of infratemporal fossa tumors using percutaneous core needle biopsy

Three patients with infratemporal fossa carcinomas presented with severe, unrelenting facial pain, weight loss, and 5th cranial nerve deficit. Erosion of the base of the skull at the foramen ovale was present in two of these patients. Histologic diagnosis of infratemporal fossa malignancy was obtained by needle biopsy of the foramen ovale region; the technique is described. This approach to the infratemporal fossa is preferred to the more complicated external surgical approach with its greater risk of morbidity. Surgical approaches to the infratemporal fossa are also reviewed. Two of the patients were treated with radiotherapy; the third refused further therapy. Supravoltage radiotherapy with curative intent is the recommended treatment because of the difficulty of an en bloc tumor resection in the infratemporal fossa. Radioactive gold seeds may be implanted through an external surgical approach to boost the local dose.