Posterior petrosectomy for resection of pontine cavernous malformation
1Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester; 2School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; and 3Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Cavernous malformations (CMs) are low-pressure, focal, vascular lesions that may occur within the brainstem and require treatment, which can be a substantial challenge. Herein, we demonstrate the surgical resection of a hemorrhaged brainstem CM through a posterior petrosectomy approach. After dissection of the overlying vascular and meningeal structures, a safe entry zone into the brainstem is identified based on local anatomy and intraoperative neuronavigation. Small ultrasound probes can also be useful for obtaining real-time intraoperative feedback. The CM is internally debulked and resected in a piecemeal fashion through an opening smaller than the CM itself. As brainstem CMs are challenging lesions, knowledge of several surgical nuances and adoption of careful microsurgical techniques are requisite for success. **Intro music: "Daybreak" by Graeme Rosner
