• Bing Zhou, Qian Huang, Ping-Hung Shen, Shun-Jiu Cui, Cheng-Shuo Wang, Yun-Chuan Li, Zhen-Kun Yu, Xiao-Hong Chen, and Ting Ye.
• Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ministry of Education, Beijing;
• J. Neurosurg. 2016 Apr 1; 124 (4): 1068-73.

ObjectiveThis study was undertaken to analyze the results of a novel surgical method-the endoscopic prelacrimal recess approach (PLRA)-in patients with tumors involving the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) and infratemporal fossa (ITF). The surgical technique and indications for this approach are also discussed.MethodsThe authors analyzed data from 7 cases involving patients who underwent resection of PPF and ITF tumors by means of the endoscopic PLRA from 2004 to 2013. Preoperative and postoperative imaging studies were available in all cases and were reviewed. The surgical specimens were all confirmed to be schwannomas.ResultsAll tumors were completely resected via endoscopic PLRA. There were no recurrences noted over a 28-month follow-up period. In 4 cases, the patients experienced postoperative facial numbness during the first two weeks after surgery, which gradually lessened thereafter. One patient continued to have mild facial numbness at most recent follow-up. The numbness had fully resolved in the other 3 cases.ConclusionsThe intranasal endoscopic removal of schwannoma from PPF and ITF via PLRA can spare the whole lateral nasal wall, resulting in a reduction in morbidity. This is a novel minimally invasive surgical method for PPF and ITF tumors.

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