Osteoplastic lateral suboccipital approach for acoustic neuroma surgery: Technical note

OBJECTIVE: Persistent headache remains a significant problem in a small gro up of patients after acoustic neuroma surgery via the lateral suboccipital approach. We describe a modified technique of osteoplastic lateral suboccip ital craniotomy for surgery of the cerebellopontine angle. This simple and elegant technique provides a superior cosmetic result and a significant red uction in patients' symptoms. METHODS: We report on our series of 75 patients who underwent surgery for a coustic neuroma. The maximal follow-up period was 4 years. RESULTS: No patients reported headache postoperatively. Cerebrospinal fluid fistulae were not observed. CONCLUSION: This modified approach minimizes cerebellar retraction, and the neural and vascular structures can be preserved under direct visualization of the tumor. This lateral suboccipital approach is a useful modification of previous approaches in acoustic neuroma surgery. It provides successful tumor resection and excellent functional results.