title: Maxillary osteoplastic flap technique for the treatment of pediatric pterygopalatine fossa neoplasms.
abstract: Pterygoid fossa neoplasms in children are rare. Management of these neoplasms has been challenging because of tumor vascularity, difficult surgical access and complex anatomy from which these tumors arise. Surgical approach depends upon tumor extension and ability to obtain adequate exposure for successful tumor excision. We present three cases of an approach to the pterygopalatine fossa not previously described. The technique is cosmetically superior to the lateral rhinotomy approach and it preserves blood supply by leaving a portion of the periosteum attached to the maxilla. Furthermore, it avoids permanent hypesthesia/anesthesia of the midface with mobilization of the infraorbital nerve.
authors.affiliation: Tampa Ear, Nose & Throat Associates, Tampa Hearing Services Pediatric ENT, Pediatric & Adult Laryngology, USA.
authors.forename: Nalin J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ettema
authors.forename: Joseph E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kerschner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018322:Angiofibroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010027:Osteotomy; D010521:Periosteum; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013100:Sphenoid Bone; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015050:Zygoma / Q000601:surgery