Microsurgical approach to the cerebellopontine angle.

Various sections of the IXth, Vth, vestibular and cochlear nerves have been performed on twenty patients. The technique we used was an 'a minima' approach to the cerebellopontine angle. This operation is atraumatic and quick to perform, and the postoperative period is always excellent. It seems very useful for patients with Ménière's disease or intractable pains in the glossopharyngeal or trigeminal fields. It can be used for diagnosis if a small neurinoma in the cerebellopontine angle is suspected.