Endoscopic Assisted Lateral Skull Base Surgery

Abstract

Pathology of the lateral skull base poses a unique challenge for the surgeon. An intimate knowledge of the anatomy and the various approaches used for accessing pathology of the lateral skull base is critical. Three novel, minimally invasive, transcanal approaches for the management of lateral skull base pathology are described herein along with their respective indications, advantages, and disadvantages.

Keywords: Acoustic neuroma; Cerebrospinal fluid; Cholesteatoma; Cholesterin granuloma; Endoscopic ear surgery; Facial nerve tumor; Paraganglioma; Vestibular schwannoma.