Lateral Skull Base Lesions: Our Experience of 15 Years

To analyse and report various aspects of lateral skull base surgery by describing the incidence and demographic variables, diagnostic and management challenges, surgical choices along with complications and their management and the long term morbidity and survival outcomes in our experience of 15 years. Retrospective review of complete records of all cases operated for lateral skull base tumors at a tertiary care teaching institution in India between timespan of 15 years from 2003 to 2018 was undertaken. 53 cases were selected and analysed. Those having follow up of less than 6 months were excluded. Outcomes were assessed in terms of incidence of types of tumors, benign or malignant, age and sex variation of the patients, staging status at presentation, status of facial and other lower cranial nerves pre-operatively, surgical techniques with complications if any, recurrences and survival. Of 35 benign tumors, tympanojugular paragangliomas were most common. Average age for these was 53 years with 19 females and 14 males. All were non-functional. Tinnitus and hearing loss were most common presentations. Class B2 and C1 tumors were most commonly encountered and the ITF A approach was most commonly used. Hearing loss and Facial palsy were commonest complication post-operatively. There were 2 recurrences. 18 malignancies were observed. Most were stage IV at presentation. Otorrhea and otalgia were most common presenting symptoms followed by hearing loss. 5 year survival was 55%. Successful treatment of lateral skull base lesions requires a multimodality therapy with team approach. Surgical resection is the primary management choice with variable approaches. ICA status related to the tumor is the most important consideration. Malignancies require more aggressive treatment for obtaining clear margins along with pre/post-op chemoradiation. Good results with acceptable complications can be obtained even with advanced tumors.