The infratemporal fossa approach type a with transcondylar-transtubercular extension for Fisch type C2-C4 tympanojugular paragangliomas 

Mario Sanna, Seung-Ho Shin, Paolo Piazza, Enrico Pasanisi, Francesca Vittulo, Filippo Di Lella, Andrea Bacciu

Head & Neck, doi: 10.1002/hed.23480

ABSTRACT

Background

The classic infratemporal fossa type A approach (IFTA-A) permits superior and anterior exposure of the jugular foramen. The transcondylar-transtubercular extension facilitates posteroinferior and medial access to the jugular foramen. The purpose of this study is to present the IFTA-A with transcondylar-transtubercular extension and to assess its surgical results.

Methods

A review of patients with tympanojugular paraganglioma who underwent resection through the IFTA-A with trancondylar-transtubercular extension was performed.

Results

In all, 39 patients were included in the study. The average follow-up was 23.6 months. Gross total tumor removal was achieved in 87.2% of the cases and there was evidence of recurrence in 5.9% of this group.

Conclusion

The transcondylar-transtubercular extension of the classic IFTA-A is aimed at making the excision of Fisch Type C2-C4 tympanojugular paragangliomas simpler and safer by drilling out of one-third of the lateral part of the occipital condyle and removing the jugular process and jugular tubercle. Head Neck, 2013

- PMID: 23996610

- Fulltext: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hed.23480/abstract