Calcification is exceedingly rare in schwannomas. In the literatures, we found only three reports of schwannomas with calcification. We report two cases of intracranial calcified schwannomas, one in the anterior cranial fossa and the other in the middle cranial fossa.
Cranial Fossa, Anterior ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Neurilemmoma*

Intracranial chondromas are extremely rare tumors, but when present, are generally related to the synchondrosis of the base, and they have several distinct features. They are slow growing benign tumors, and plain roentgenogram frequently reveals lytic lesion and stippled calcification at base of the skull. They are radioresistant, and surgical removal is treatment of choice. We report the rare case of chondroma arisen from base of the skull which diagnosed by brain CT and confirmed by operation.
Brain ; Chondroma* ; Cranial Fossa, Middle* ; Skull

Adult ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; pathology ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; pathology ; Female ; Granuloma ; pathology ; Humans ; Mastoid ; pathology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the MR imaging and CT findings of intracranial inflammatory pseudotumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the MR imaging (n=8) and CT (n=4) studies of eight patients (M:F = 4:4, mean age: 41 years) with pathologically proven intracranial inflammatory pseudotumor. The findings were then evaluated with regard to location, shape, MR signal intensity, CT density and degree of contrast enhancement of the lesion, surrounding parenchymal edema, adjacent bone change and the location of accompanying extracranial lesion. RESULTS: In two patients, the parietal convexity was involved unilaterally, with no extracranial mass, and in the other six, the middle cranial fossa was involved unilaterally and extracranial mass was present. The lesion also involved the tentorium in four cases, the cavernous sinus in four, the anterior cranial fossa in one, and the posterior cranial fossa in one. The location of extracranial mass was the mastoid and middle ear cavity in two cases, the infratemporal fossa in two, both the infratemporal fossa and paranasal sinuses in one, and the orbit in one. MR images showed diffuse dural thickening in all eight cases, leptomeningeal thickening in four, and focal meningeal-based mass in two. As seen on T1-weighted images, the lesions were isointense to gray matter in eight cases, and on T2-weighted images were hypointense in seven cases and isointense in one. Marked homogeneous contrast enhancement was seen in all eight cases. The lesions seen on brain CT, performed in two cases, were isodense. Adjacent brain parenchymal edema and the destruction of adjacent bones were each seen in five cases. CONCLUSION: The characteristic MR findings of intracranial inflammatory pseudotumors are(1) diffuse dural thickening;(2) a focal meningeal-based mass which on T2-weighted images is seen as hypointense; and marked (3) contrast enhancement : these findings are, however, nonspecific. In order to differentiate these tumors, an awareness of these findings is, however, useful.
Brain ; Cavernous Sinus ; Cranial Fossa, Anterior ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; Ear, Middle ; Edema ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Mastoid ; Orbit ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Rabeprazole

The ability of CT scan to differentiate and accurately localize cystic, solid, and calcified portions of craniopharyngioma with the ventricular size as well now makes it a very valuable method of investigating this congenital tumor. The authors report a case of huge, mainly cystic craniopharyngioma which unusually occupied entire middle cranial fossa, presenting as an isodense area with suprasellar calcification in brain CT scan.
Brain ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Craniopharyngioma* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The technique and results of infratemporal fossa approach of jugular formamen meuroma and clivus chordoma are presented. The infratemporal fossa approach allowed radical removal of jugualr foramen neuroma and effective palliative removal of clivus chordoma. The basic features of infratemporal fossa approach are permanent anterior displacement of the facial nerve, subtotal petrosectomy and obliteration of the middle ear cleft.
Chordoma ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; Ear, Middle ; Facial Nerve ; Neuroma ; Skull*

The authors report a case of giant-cell tumor of the right middle cranial fossa floor a 43-year-old man. His presentation, characteristic magnetic resonance image findings, treatment, and 2-year follow-up result are described. The patient about this rare neoplasm of the skull base are also reviewed.
Adult ; Cranial Fossa, Middle* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Skull Base

OBJECTIVE: The petrosal meningiomas involving the middle cranial fossa through the Meckel's cave represent a difficult surgical challenge. We report our experience of removing these lesions through the suboccipital approach combined with a technique that expose the Meckel's cave by removing the bony prominence located above the porus of the internal acoustic meatus, called the suprameatal tubercle, and the surrounding bone. METHODS: Between the period of January 1999 and October 2001, a total of seven patients with petrosal meningiomas involving the Meckel's cave were operated upon using suboccipital suprameatal approach. In the supine position, suboccipital craniotomy was performed. The main mass located predominantly within the cerebellopontine angle(CPA) was removed using intradural approach. The suprameatal tubercle was drilled-out to expose the Meckel's cave. And then, the tumor extended into the middle cranial fossa through the Meckel's cave was removed. RESULTS: In every case, the tumor extending into the Meckel's cave was exposed well. The tumors were completely removed in all patients without serious complications. CONCLUSION: We believe that suboccipital suprameatal approach offers a safe and effective method to remove some selected lesions of the CPA area extended into the middle cranial fossa through the Meckel's cave without the need for complex procedures, if the main mass is located predominantly in the CPA area.
Acoustics ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Craniotomy ; Humans ; Meningioma* ; Supine Position

The aim of surgery for vestibular schwannoma is to accomplish complete tumor removal while preserving facial function and hearing ability. The middle cranial fossa approach represents one such surgical approach for resection of vestibular schwannoma with hearing preservation. As more experience has been gained with this approach, hearing preservation rates have increased. However, even if gross tumor removal is done completely, residual tumor can show regrowth microscopically. Such residual vestibular schwannoma may be treated by different options. We present a case of residual vestibular schwannoma treated with revision middle cranial fossa approach to preserve facial function and hearing ability.
Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Facial Nerve ; Hearing ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Neuroma, Acoustic

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anatomical knowledge of the petrous apex is essential to otolaryngologist to explore the skull base lesions. This study was designed to investigate the surgical anatomy of the petrous apex and the middle cranial fossa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We dissected 32 temporal bones in order to establish the anatomical relationships of petrous apex structures. We measured distances and angles between different structures so that surgeons can rely on to work in this area. RESULTS: The results of the present study showed distances and angles of the different petrous apex structures. The angle between posterior point-foramen spinosum and porus was 90 degree. CONCLUSION: We could suggest the new indicators to identify the internal acoustic canal.
Acoustics ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Skull Base ; Temporal Bone