Abstract:Abstract:ObjectiveTo investigate the indications and effect of infratemporal fossa type B approach in the surgical treatment of lateral skull base tumors.MethodsClinical data of 8 patients receiving surgical treatment of lateral skull base tumors via infratemporal fossa type B approach in our department from January 2015 to June 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The types of the tumors included rhabdomyosarcoma (n=1), muture teratoma (n=1), giant cell tumor of bone (n=1), squamous cell carcinoma of temporal bone (n=1), giant cell reparative granuloma (n=2), cholesteatoma (n=2).ResultsThere were 3 patients whose lesions involved jugular foramen, internal carotid artery and petrous apex. In the other 5 patients, tumors mainly involved zygomatic arch, temporomandibular joint, middle skull base and even temporal lobe. 7 patients underwent surgical removal of tumors via infratemporal fossa type B approach, and one via infratemporal fossa type B combined transcochlear approach. Tumors were removed radically in all 8 patients. After operation, 4 patients suffered from severe conductive hearing loss and the other 4 suffered from severe sensorineural hearing loss. After operation, facial paralysis did not aggravated in 2 patients with preoperative facial paralysis, and 2 of those with preoperative normal facial nerve function developed facial paralysis due to intraoperative facial nerve transfer in the patient with combined approach and resection of tumorinvolved facial nerve in another. During the followup period, no serious complications such as cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea, intracranial hemorrhage, intracranial infection, hemiplegia and death occurred.ConclusionsInfratemporal fossa type B approach has great advantages in exposing the vertical and horizontal segments of internal carotid artery and petrous apex. It can also be used to remove the tumors involved zygomatic arch, temporomandibular joint, middle skull base and even temporal lobe.