title: Large trigeminal schwannoma of the infratemporal fossa: evaluation of neoangiogenesis in this rare neoplasm.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trigeminal schwannomas are uncommon intracranial tumors. Extracranial trigeminal schwannomas in the infratemporal fossa are rare.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case with a clinical history of facial pain. MRI and CT scans showed a mass arising from the infratemporal fossa extending into the intracranial space.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We performed a combined neurosurgical and maxillofacial approach with preoperative endovascular embolization. Complete removal of the parasellar component was achieved with a minimal extracranial neoplastic residual. High microvessel density, reflecting intense neoangiogenesis, was detected through the immunohistochemical staining with endoglin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to the unique development pattern of trigeminal schwannoma involving multiple intracranial fossae and extracranial compartment, we chose a combined neurosurgical and maxillofacial approach with preoperative embolization of the tumor. Immunohistochemical findings suggest that the extensive growth observed may be related to an intense neoangiogenesis, opening the perspective to novel therapeutic options based on the inhibition of neoangiogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgical Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Psychiatry, and Anaesthesiology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alafaci
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caffo
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barresi
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cutugno
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pino
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Granata
authors.forename: Francesco S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: De Ponte
authors.forename: Francesco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Salpietro
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tomasello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013701:Temporal Bone; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020433:Trigeminal Nerve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery