Microsurgical resection of a right dumbbell-shaped jugular foramen schwannoma through a modified retrosigmoid infra-jugular approach: how I do it.

Abstract

Surgical treatment of dumbbell jugular foramen schwannomas can be challenging. The main goals of surgery are maximal resection with preservation of function and overall patient quality of life. In this paper, we present a step-by-step technical description of a microsurgical resection of dumbbell-shaped JF schwannoma using a modified retrosigmoid infra-jugular approach. The modified retrosigmoid infra-jugular is a safe and suitable approach in selected cases. This technique, however, must be limited only to those tumors with minimal extension into the jugular foramen.