Supracerebellar Approach for Clival Chordomas: Technical Note

BACKGROUND: The conventional retrosigmoid and lateral supracerebellar approach was used for surgery in 5 select cases of large chordomas. METHODS: Patients were treated during 2011 and 2019. Location of the tumor in the depth from surface, wide tumor extensions, and intimate relationships with critical neural and vascular lesions made the approach selection a formidable challenge. RESULTS: The discussed approach provided a satisfactory and wide exposure that permitted circumferential dissection of the tumor. Maneuvering the angulation of microscope provided access to the part of tumor that extended in the region of cavernous sinus. CONCLUSIONS: Radical resection of all the tumors was achieved.