Resection of Condylar Skull Base Tumor via Combined Far Lateral and Infrajugular Approaches with Single-Stage Occipitocervical Fusion

Epithelioid hemangioma is a rare vascular mesenchymal tumor with a paucity of reports of cranial involvement. In particular, guidance on treatment for lateral skull base lesions is lacking, despite this being a highly technically challenging location. Nuances in the management decisions for this tumor type are discussed. Two major challenges with this location are proximity to critical neurovascular structures and managing secondary craniocervical instability. We present a patient with a lateral skull base epithelioid hemangioma treated with transcondylar resection, single-stage occipitocervical fusion, and adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy. The patient consented to both the procedure and the published report of her case including imaging. Obtaining tissue was necessary for diagnosis. Maximal safe resection, resection of a tumor such that the greatest clinical benefit is achieved with the minimum risk, was favored given the location and vascularity of the lesion. Occipitocervical fusion was recommended given ongoing bony destruction by the tumor and further expected iatrogenic instability upon resection. This was performed as a single stage given expected need for postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy and dynamic neck pain (Video 1). Surgical planning and decision making are detailed, including rationale and potential risks and benefits. We discuss positioning, equipment needs, and the importance of a multidisciplinary surgical team. Park bench positioning was used for part 1, left-sided extended far lateral and infratemporal fossa presigmoid approaches. For part 2, occipitocervical fusion, the patient was transitioned to prone position. The anatomy is highlighted in labeled pictures of the approach and dissection, and surgical video is presented for key surgical steps. Preoperative and postoperative imaging is analyzed. A desirable clinical outcome was obtained.