Suboccipital Craniectomy — Paramedian Incision

Abstract

Acoustic neurinomas usually arise from the vestibular portion of the eighth cranial nerve within the internal auditory meatus (porus acousticus). Increasingly sensitive tests (Bekesy audiometry, Short Increment Sensitivity Index, Alternate Binaural Loudness Balance, caloric vestibular response, positive contrast studies, etc.) allow earlier diagnosis; and, as a result, smaller tumors are now being removed. However, even today, many tumors still come to our attention only after they have produced pressure on the pons, medulla and cranial nerves or have caused increased intracranial pressure.