The role of the superciliary approach in the surgical management of intracranial neoplasms

Abstract

Objective: The authors present and evaluate the experiences with 76 frontolateral keyhole craniotomies performed for supratentorial intracranial tumors via superciliary skin incisions.

Method: The exploration is a modification of the generally used pterional approach. Out of a series of 302 cases operated on with frontolateral keyhole craniotomies via superciliary skin incisions, 76 had various tumors at the frontal base, intra-, supra-, parasellar and intraorbital regions. The operations were carried out through a approximately 2.5 x 3 cm frontolateral miniaturized craniotomy following a skin incision at the upper edge of the eyebrow.

Conclusion: Despite the small size of craniotomy the superciliary approach is a suitable technique for resection of skull base tumors in the anterior fossa, orbit, sellar, parasellar and suprasellar regions. The exploration allows enough room for intracranial surgical manipulation with maximal protection of normal brain, vessel and nerve structures. The presented patients did not have any craniotomy-related complication.