Case
About this case
Operative video: the Posterior Fossa, through the Posterior Fossa and Retrosigmoid (Suboccipital) approaches. The background notes below summarise the anatomy, pathology and approach, with published references.
Reference notes
Background
Notes on this case’s cranial location, pathology and surgical approach, with published sources. General education only, not advice for any individual patient.
Cranial Location
Posterior Fossa
The posterior fossa contains the cerebellum, brainstem, fourth ventricle and cranial-nerve complexes within a tight, non-compliant compartment. Mass lesions rapidly cause hydrocephalus and brainstem compression, making them time-critical.
Approaches — suboccipital midline or lateral, retrosigmoid, far-lateral — are chosen by lesion location, with vigilance for the vertebral artery, PICA and the lower cranial nerves.
