Middle Fossa Approach for Resection of a Meckel's Cave Dermoid Cyst: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Abstract

Dermoid cysts are ectodermal cysts that are rarely encountered in the Meckel’s cave. Here, we describe the case of a 33-year-old female who presented with a one-year history of facial pain. Neuroimaging depicted a left Meckel’s cave lesion consistent with dermoid cyst. Microsurgical resection was performed via the left extradural middle fossa approach. The cyst was completely removed. The patient reported improvement in facial pain after the surgery. Histopathology revealed a dermoid cyst. In this operative video, we demonstrate the key steps of the middle fossa approach for access to the Meckel’s cave.Consent was obtained for the procedure and for the video recording.

Keywords

• Dermoid Cyst
• Middle Fossa Approach
• Cavernous Sinus
• Meckel's Cave