Extended temporal bone resection.
A histologically benign tumor of the temporal bone became a life-threatening neoplasm. Previous surgical procedures and a course of radiotherapy failed to arrest the growth of the neoplasm. Our therapeutic objectives were fourfold: (1) ventilation of tumor histology; (2) total tumor removal without an increase of the neurological deficit; (3) watertight closure of the dural defect; and (4) aesthetically acceptable scalp reconstruction. These goals were achieved by performing temporal bone resection extending from the foramen lacerum to near the foramen magnum. The external soft-tissue defect was reconstructed with a contralateral scalp flap. The patient recovered satisfactorily from her surgery and achieved improvement of her ataxia and level of consciousness.
D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000209:etiology; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*