Combined Endoscopic Endonasal and Contralateral Transmaxillary Approach for Petrous Cholesteatoma: 2-Dimensional...

This 59-yr-old man presented with headache, dizziness, diplopia, and right-side hearing impairment for years. The objective degree of hearing impairment was not available. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a right petrous apex lesion centered behind the right petrous internal carotid artery and extending lateral to the medial aspect of the right internal auditory canal. A combined endoscopic endonasal and left contralateral transmaxillary (CTM) approach was performed, and gross-total resection was achieved. Peeling the cyst wall from the dura resulted in minor weeping. It was covered with a left-sided, vascularized nasoseptal flap. His dizziness and diplopia improved immediately after the surgery. Histopathology revealed an epidermoid cyst. In this surgical video, we demonstrate the key steps of the CTM approach for access to the petrous apex posterior to the petrous internal carotid artery (ICA). The patient gave informed consent for surgery and video recording.