Subtemporal-preauricular approach in the management of infratemporal and nasopharyngeal tumours.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the indication, advantages, and results of the subtemporal-preauricular approach in the resection of tumours arising in the infratemporal fossa and related structures of the lateral cranial base.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of patients treated by the subtemporal-preauricular approach to resect nasopharyngeal and infratemporal tumours.


METHODS
Tertiary hospital.


METHODS
Forty patients with lateral skull base lesions were managed with the subtemporal-preauricular approach. There were 19 benign lesions and 21 malignant tumours, the most common being nasopharyngeal carcinomas, juvenile angiofibromas, and adenoid-cystic carcinomas. Most of the tumours were at an advanced stage, with skull base involvement in 13 benign tumours and in 14 malignant ones.


RESULTS
Major complications occurred in 6 (14%) patients, and there were 2 (5%) postoperative deaths. All 19 patients with benign tumours are alive, although 5 of them (26%) presented with residual or recurrent disease. The 5-year estimated survival rate of the 21 patients with malignant neoplasms was 39%.


CONCLUSIONS
The subtemporal-preauricular approach is a safe and versatile approach to the infratemporal fossa and neighbouring areas of the lateral cranial base, offering satisfactory oncologic results in the absence of intracranial involvement.
Llorente
José L
JL
Department of Otolaryngology and Skull Base Unit, Hospital Central de Asturias, Spain.
Nazar
Gonzalo
G
Cabanillas
Rubén
R
Fernández de León
Ramón
R
Suárez
Carlos
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004423:Ear; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013701:Temporal Bone; D016896:Treatment Outcome