Radical resection of intracavernous chondrosarcoma using an intradural keyhole approach: how I do it.

BACKGROUND: Skull base chondrosarcoma is rare, arising from the clivus or petroclival junction, and usually presents as ocular motility disorders. Endonasal transsphenoidal surgery may be performed in some cases of midline clivus chondrosarcoma. Chondrosarcoma is located within the cavernous sinus and presents a softer/gelatinous mass and can be removed with suctions and curettage. We have been using a simple intradural keyhole transcavernous approach, avoiding a complex extradural transcavernous dissection.

METHODS: The intracavernous chondrosarcoma was removed via a 5 mm keyhole opening over the Parkinson's triangle using a standard frontotemporal intradural approach.

CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive keyhole surgical resection can be performed to eradicate skull base chondrosarcomas, avoiding complex extradural cranial base approaches.