[Progress in the surgical treatment of trigeminal schwannoma]

Trigeminal schwannomas(TSs) is the second most common intracranial schwannomas next to acoustic neuroma. These uncommon, slow-growing tumors, which prove to originated from Schwann cells of the fifth brain nerve, can achieve their development into various compartments.Previous to the era of microsurgery, the total tumor resection rate was low, and the postoperative neurological function was seriously damaged.With the development of microsurgery and skull base approach, the microsurgery effect of TSs has been improved. Besides, neuroendoscopy is also used in the operation of some types of trigeminal schwannomas. Radiation therapy can be performed to control tumor growth for the patients who cannot tolerate surgery, have small tumor volume, have residual tumor tissue or relapse.