What is a Middle Fossa Craniotomy?
Who Needs a Middle Fossa Craniotomy?
An acoustic neuroma (AN) is a noncancerous tumor that develops on the main nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain. Common symptoms from tumors in the internal auditory canal may include one-sided hearing loss, loss of balance and dizziness, and tinnitus (ringing in the ear).
Patients with acoustic neuromas (ANs) whose tumors are small to medium-sized may need middle fossa craniotomy surgery, also called an acoustic neuroma surgery. Middle fossa craniotomy is one of the best surgical procedures to preserve hearing, since it carries a low risk of intracranial complications.
Procedure
We will help schedule a surgery date for you if you and your doctor decide that surgery is best for your health. In most cases, this type of surgery is not an emergency because most acoustic neuromas grow slowly.
During the procedure, a small incision above the ear is used to access the tumor. It may be necessary for the doctor to shave part of the hair around the surgery site. To ensure your safety, we will closely monitor the function of your nerves during the surgery.
In order to see the tumor more clearly, we may use a surgical microscope. Depending on the tumor size, the surgery usually takes between four and six hours.