Endoscopic Transphenoidal Approach to Petrous Apex Lesions: Our Experience and Review of Literature

Abstract

Introduction: Traditionally, lesions of the petrous apex have been accessible via open, infracochlear, and transtemporal approaches. Transsphenoidal endoscopic removal of petrous apex lesions is a recent advance in the extended applications of sinus surgery. Because of the limited number of case series in the literature, there is limited evidence of recurrence rates and outcomes following endoscopic endonasal management. We describe a series of four cases in which the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach was used to manage this lesion. The purpose of this study is to determine the surgical outcomes of endoscopic endonasal approaches in the treatment of different pathologies of petrous apex.