[Trigeminal neurinoma with massive extracranial extension, report of a case (author's transl)]

It appears that more than a hundred cases of trigeminal neurinomas have hitherto been reported, but massive extracranial extension of a benign neurinoma into the sphenoid sinus and soft part tissue of the neck is unusual. A 36-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with complaints of left blindness, vertigo and left nasal stuffiness. Neuroradiological examinations, including plain craniography, angiography and CT, showed a huge mass which destroyed the left middle fossa and extended into the left sphenoid sinus and soft part tissue of the neck. On December 14, 1978, left fronto-temporal craniotomy was carried out, and intracranial portion of the tumor was removed, leaving its extracranial portion intact. Pathological examination revealed benign neurinoma. The postoperative course was uneventful except temporary left total ophthalmoplegia. It was emphasized that, to obtain cure for trigeminal neurinoma, early diagnosis is extremely important, and, for this purpose, CT, including coronal one, was considered to be one of the most useful examinations.