Extracranial lower cranial nerve sheath tumors.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to review the clinicoradiographic features of lower cranial nerve sheath tumors and to outline surgical approaches that allow the safe and complete resection of these lesions.

METHODS

Thirteen patients with lower cranial nerve sheath tumors of the infratemporal fossa were surgically treated between 7/88 and 10/99. A retrospective chart analysis provided details pertaining to clinical manifestations, radiographic assessment, intraoperative findings, tumor histology, and postoperative results.

RESULTS

The most common presenting symptoms were neck pressure and voice change while submucosal palatal fullness and vocal cord paralysis were the most common presenting signs. All tumors were removed via lateral skull base approaches and the most common postoperative sequelae was dysphasia.

CONCLUSION

Lower cranial nerve sheath tumors of the infratemporal fossa usually reach considerable size before diagnosis because of a naturally slow growth rate in this relatively silent location. The safe surgical removal of these tumors, based on superior control of the internal carotid artery, can be achieved through the use of contemporary lateral skull base techniques.