Abstract
Background: Schwannomas encompassing the superior parapharyngeal space are challenging lesions because of the anatomical complexity of this region and the frequent involvement of the neurovascular structures of the jugular foramen. The purpose of this study is to report the technical aspects and the advantages of the anterolateral approach, here proposed for schwannomas of this complex area. Methods: The main steps of the anterolateral approach are described in detail, along with the results of a consecutive series of 38 patients with a retrostyloid superior parapharyngeal schwannoma involving the jugular foramen operated on by means of this route between 1999 and 2019. Results: The supine position is generally preferred. The medial border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, mastoid tip, and superior nuchal line are the landmarks for the hockey-stick skin incision. The accessory nerve is retrieved and mobilized cranially. Detachment of the sternocleidomastoid, digastric, and nuchal muscles allows for a 180° exposure of the extracranial side of the jugular foramen. Three working corridors, namely the pre-carotid, pre-jugular, and retro-jugular, allow access to the deeper part of the jugular foramen area and the superior parapharyngeal space. In the present series, a gross total resection was achieved in 89.4% of the patients. Three recurrences occurred after an average follow-up of 80.5 ± 51 months. Conclusions: The anterolateral approach is highly effective in the treatment of retrostyloid superior parapharyngeal space schwannomas involving the jugular foramen. Its simplicity of execution, versatility, and very low morbidity are among its main strengths.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | World Neurosurgery |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - Jan 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Anterolateral approach
- Glossopharyngeal nerve diseases
- Jugular foramen tumors
- Lower cranial nerves
- Parapharyngeal space
- Schwannoma
- Skull base neoplasms
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Clinical Neurology
Cite this
Anterolateral Approach for Retrostyloid Superior Parapharyngeal Space Schwannomas Involving the Jugular Foramen Area : A 20-Year Experience. / Luzzi, Sabino; Giotta Lucifero, Alice; Del Maestro, Mattia; Marfia, Giovanni; Navone, Stefania Elena; Baldoncini, Matias; Nuñez, Maximiliano; Campero, Alvaro; Elbabaa, Samer K.; Galzio, Renato.
In: World Neurosurgery, 01.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Anterolateral Approach for Retrostyloid Superior Parapharyngeal Space Schwannomas Involving the Jugular Foramen Area
T2 - A 20-Year Experience
AU - Luzzi, Sabino
AU - Giotta Lucifero, Alice
AU - Del Maestro, Mattia
AU - Marfia, Giovanni
AU - Navone, Stefania Elena
AU - Baldoncini, Matias
AU - Nuñez, Maximiliano
AU - Campero, Alvaro
AU - Elbabaa, Samer K.
AU - Galzio, Renato
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - Background: Schwannomas encompassing the superior parapharyngeal space are challenging lesions because of the anatomical complexity of this region and the frequent involvement of the neurovascular structures of the jugular foramen. The purpose of this study is to report the technical aspects and the advantages of the anterolateral approach, here proposed for schwannomas of this complex area. Methods: The main steps of the anterolateral approach are described in detail, along with the results of a consecutive series of 38 patients with a retrostyloid superior parapharyngeal schwannoma involving the jugular foramen operated on by means of this route between 1999 and 2019. Results: The supine position is generally preferred. The medial border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, mastoid tip, and superior nuchal line are the landmarks for the hockey-stick skin incision. The accessory nerve is retrieved and mobilized cranially. Detachment of the sternocleidomastoid, digastric, and nuchal muscles allows for a 180° exposure of the extracranial side of the jugular foramen. Three working corridors, namely the pre-carotid, pre-jugular, and retro-jugular, allow access to the deeper part of the jugular foramen area and the superior parapharyngeal space. In the present series, a gross total resection was achieved in 89.4% of the patients. Three recurrences occurred after an average follow-up of 80.5 ± 51 months. Conclusions: The anterolateral approach is highly effective in the treatment of retrostyloid superior parapharyngeal space schwannomas involving the jugular foramen. Its simplicity of execution, versatility, and very low morbidity are among its main strengths.
AB - Background: Schwannomas encompassing the superior parapharyngeal space are challenging lesions because of the anatomical complexity of this region and the frequent involvement of the neurovascular structures of the jugular foramen. The purpose of this study is to report the technical aspects and the advantages of the anterolateral approach, here proposed for schwannomas of this complex area. Methods: The main steps of the anterolateral approach are described in detail, along with the results of a consecutive series of 38 patients with a retrostyloid superior parapharyngeal schwannoma involving the jugular foramen operated on by means of this route between 1999 and 2019. Results: The supine position is generally preferred. The medial border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, mastoid tip, and superior nuchal line are the landmarks for the hockey-stick skin incision. The accessory nerve is retrieved and mobilized cranially. Detachment of the sternocleidomastoid, digastric, and nuchal muscles allows for a 180° exposure of the extracranial side of the jugular foramen. Three working corridors, namely the pre-carotid, pre-jugular, and retro-jugular, allow access to the deeper part of the jugular foramen area and the superior parapharyngeal space. In the present series, a gross total resection was achieved in 89.4% of the patients. Three recurrences occurred after an average follow-up of 80.5 ± 51 months. Conclusions: The anterolateral approach is highly effective in the treatment of retrostyloid superior parapharyngeal space schwannomas involving the jugular foramen. Its simplicity of execution, versatility, and very low morbidity are among its main strengths.
KW - Anterolateral approach
KW - Glossopharyngeal nerve diseases
KW - Jugular foramen tumors
KW - Lower cranial nerves
KW - Parapharyngeal space
KW - Schwannoma
KW - Skull base neoplasms
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85073027468&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85073027468&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.09.006
DO - 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.09.006
M3 - Article
C2 - 31520759
AN - SCOPUS:85073027468
JO - World Neurosurgery
JF - World Neurosurgery
SN - 1878-8750
ER -