Image-guided transphenoidal drainage of a cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex in a child

Cholesterol granulomas of the petrous apex are well-described lesions that originate from chronic obstruction of the air cells in the petrous pyramid. Intracranial surgery, associated with multiple potential complications, ha s been the salutary action to treat this entity with only two reports of en doscopic drainage of a cholesterol granuloma of the paranasal sinuses. We p resent the first pediatric patient to be treated by not only endoscopic dra inage, but also by the incorporation of computer-assisted image-guided surg ery to minimize risk of injury to structures adjacent to the posterior wall of the sphenoid sinus. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.