Microsurgical resection of an enlarging lateral pontomedullary cavernous malformation
Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Abstract The extended retrosigmoid approach provides an excellent corridor to the lateral aspect of the pontomedullary junction (PMJ).1,2 This video demonstrates a microsurgical resection of a progressive enlarging cavernous malformation (CM) of the PMJ. The patient is a 33-year-old woman with progressive symptoms, including right facial droop, left hemianesthesia, diplopia, and nystagmus. The patient underwent a right extended retrosigmoid approach with intraoperative neuronavigation and neuromonitoring. Lower cranial nerve dissection allowed access to the lateral PMJ. A longitudinal corticotomy was performed above the glossopharyngeal. The CM was removed in a piecemeal fashion. Postoperative MRI confirmed gross-total resection and the patient remained neurologically stable.
