Microsurgical resection of a right dumbbell-shaped jugular foramen schwannoma through a modified retrosigmoid infra-jugular approach: how I do it.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of dumbbell jugular foramen schwannomas can be challenging. The main goals of surgery are maximal resection with preservation of function and overall patient quality of life. METHODS: In this paper, we present a step-by-step technical description of a microsurgical resection of dumbbell-shaped JF schwannoma using a modified retrosigmoid infra-jugular approach. CONCLUSION: The modified retrosigmoid infra-jugular is a safe and suitable approach in selected cases. This technique, however, must be limited only to those tumors with minimal extension into the jugular foramen.