PTERIONAL LATERAL APPROACH TO ORBITAL TUMORS

The purpose of this article is to detail our experience with an approa ch to primary pathologic conditions involving the orbit. In 27 patient s these included tumors of the lacrimal gland, lymphangiomas, neurinom as, meningiomas, and various cysts of the orbit. Access to these lesio ns was gained by a lateral pterional approach with osteoclastic or ost eoplastic removal of the lateral bony wall/roof of the orbit, and by e ntering adnexal contents following elevation of the lateral rectus mus cle. This approach allowed for complete tumor removal in all patients. The specifics of this approach will be discussed and associated orbit al complications will be detailed.