Cerebellopontine Angle Lesions (Part 1)

James K. Liu

It is a great pleasure to present you the Cerebellopontine Angle Lesions (Part 1) issue of Skull Base: Operative Videos. This anatomical region represents the workhorse of skull base surgery to the posterior fossa. Pathologic conditions in this region are typically comprised of schwannomas, meningiomas, epidermoid tumors, brainstem cavernous malformations, and neurovascular compression syndromes. Surgical intervention remains the most effective treatment to manage these challenging lesions. Nevertheless, surgery of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) can be met with a potential risk of morbidity due to the vicinity to neighboring cranial nerves, brainstem, and surrounding neurovasculature. However, with appropriate approach selection, meticulous surgical technique, and intraoperative decision making, optimal surgical outcomes with cranial nerve preservation can be achieved. In this issue of Skull Base: Operative Videos, we have compiled a library of video manuscripts demonstrating a variety of cases that illustrate important surgical techniques in CPA surgery to serve as an operative atlas for the practicing and in-training skull base surgeon. Please visit our “YouTube Channel,” Skull Base: Operative Videos, at www.thieme.com/skullbasevideos to view the complete collection of operative videos.