Retrosigmoid craniotomy for cerebellopontine angle/petroclival epidermoid cyst.

This video describes the surgical management of an epidermoid cyst within the cerebellopontine angle and petroclival region with involvement of cranial nerves V through XI and the vertebrobasilar system. A retrosigmoid craniotomy was performed for gross total resection of the lesion. The key steps of the procedure are discussed, including: positioning, soft tissue dissection, craniotomy, microsurgical dissection/resection, closure. Additionally, surgical nuances with regards to the safe maximal resection of such lesions are detailed. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/VEROVO5cYdU .