Endoscopic Endonasal Infrapetrous Transpterygoid Approach to the Petroclival Junction for Petrous Apex Chondrosarcoma: Technical Report

Abstract

Chondrosarcomas of the skull base are rare tumors that present difficult management considerations due to the pathoanatomical relationships of the tumor to adjacent structures. We present the case of a 25-year-old female patient presenting with a chondrosarcoma of the right petrous apex extending inferiorly, medial to the cranial nerves. The tumor was resected via an endoscopic endonasal infrapetrous transpterygoid approach that achieved complete resection and an excellent long-term outcome with no complications. Technical nuances and potential pitfalls of the case are discussed in depth including measures to protect the carotid artery while performing the required drilling of the skull base to access the lesion.

Keywords

endoscopic endonasal - chondrosarcoma - minimally invasive - petroclival - skull base

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