• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.118-125
• /
• 2000

Objective : Trigeminal neurinomas are rare tumors that may locate in the middle fossa or posterior fossa and straddled both the middle and posterior fossa, according to their origin in the nerve complex. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical presentation, operative approaches employed and outcome in 15 patients who were treated surgically, with special emphasis on surgical approach. Method : Between 1994 and 1998, a total of fifteen patients were histopathologically identified as neurinomas originating from the trigeminal nerve complex at the tumor clinic in the neuroscience center of the our university. Results : The surgical approach to these tumors depends on their anatomical location and tumor size. Six patients had tumors confined to the middle fossa, five patients had tumors limited to the posterior fossa, and four patients both in middle and posterior fossa components of their tumors. Nine neurinomas were removed via the conventional approach(pterional, subtemporal, suboccipital) and six were excised using skull base approach(transzygomatic subtemporal, orbitozygomatic, transpetrosal). Total resection of the tumor was possible in 10 cases. Total resection of tumor was accomplished in 83% of patients following skull base approach compared with 56% of patients following conventional approach. The surgical outcome was excellent or good in 13 cases, fair in one and, poor in one. There was no operative death. In the immediate postoperative period, aggravation of preoperative facial hypesthesia and 6th cranial nerve palsy were common. Although, these deficits were generally transient, eight patients remained with some degree of trigeminal hypesthesia, two had facial weakness, one neurotrophic keratitis, one diplopia, and one mastication difficulty. Conclusion : Surgical approach to the trigeminal neurinoma depends on the tumor location and tumor size. Skull base approach provides more complete tumor excision without increased morbidity compared to conventional approach. Surgeons have to be meticulous in order to reduce postoperative complication.