Extradural petrous bone and petroclival neoplasms.

Extradural petroclival tumours are composed of a spectrum of histological and anatomical configurations dictating a variety of surgical approaches. The experience with 68 such tumours operated at the University of Pittsburgh is presented, emphasizing the basal subfrontal and lateral approaches. 85% of these tumours are benign or low-grade malignancies, with 62% of these totally resected, resulting in a 5.4% recurrence rate. The operative mortality was 1.5% and major morbidity 3%. Well-planned surgery based on precise anatomical knowledge and imaging is the basis of treatment for petroclival tumours.