Microsurgical Resection of Recurrent Cavernous Sinus Hemangioma by Superior and Lateral Approach: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Abstract

This video shows the technical nuances of microsurgical resection of recurrent cavernous sinus (CS) hemangioma by superior and lateral approach. A 77-yr-old woman presented with headache and difficulty in vision in right eye for 6 mo. She had previously undergone attempted resection of a right CS tumor in another hospital with partial removal, and the tumor had grown significantly. Neurological examination revealed proptosis, cranial nerve 3 palsy, and loss of vision in right eye (20/200). Left side visual acuity was 20/20. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a large CS mass with homogeneous enhancement, measuring 3.3 × 3.3 × 2.6 cm, extending into the suprasellar cistern with mass effect on the right optic nerve. It extended anteriorly to the region of the right orbital apex and abuted the basilar artery posteriorly. She underwent right frontotemporal craniotomy, posterolateral orbitotomy and anterior clinoidectomy as well as optic nerve decompression, and the CS tumor was removed by superior and lateral approach. An incision was made into the superior wall of the CS medial to the third nerve. On lateral aspect the tumor had extended outside the CS through the Parkinson's triangle. Posteriorly it extended through the clival dura. Anteriorly tumor encased the carotid artery and it was gradually dissected away. At the end of the operation, all of the cranial nerves were intact. Postoperative MRI showed near complete tumor resection with preservation of the internal carotid artery. At 6 mo follow-up her modified Rankin Scale was 1 and vision in left eye was normal. Informed consent was obtained from the patient prior to the surgery that included videotaping of the procedure and its distribution for educational purposes. All relevant patient identifiers have also been removed from the video and accompanying radiology slides.

Keywords: Anterior clinoidectomy; Complete microsurgical resection; Optic nerve decompression; Recurrent cavernous sinus hemangioma; Superior and lateral approach.