TEMPORAL BONE-CARCINOMA - CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES IN THE SKULL BASESURGICAL ERA

Historically, malignant tumors that arose within the temporal bone or that intimately juxtaposed the petrous ridge portended an ominous prog nosis. Perusal of the surgical literature from 1950 to 1975 strongly s upports the impression that despite heroic surgical efforts many of th ese patients sustained significant morbidity and a high mortality rate . This report reviews data accumulated over a 10-year period study fro m July 1984 to June 1994 that examines the changing clinical approach to these lesions from both a diagnostic and therapeutic perspective. A nalysis of data from 46 patients cared for at the University of Cincin nati Medical Center is presented with a minimum follow-up of 16 months to a long-term follow-up of 11 years. A management algorithm is prese nted that reflects our contemporary approach to assessment and managem ent of this select patient population.