Brain stem compression secondary to adipose graft prolapse after transpetrosal approach: case report.

A case of fat graft prolapse into the prepontine cistern with clinical deterioration is presented. The patient had undergone a transpetrosal approach for a very large craniopharyngioma and had autologous thigh fat strips to obliterate the mastoid cavity; postoperatively she suffered an important deterioration from adipose graft prolapse. Clinical presentation, MRI findings, treatment, and avoidance of this complication are discussed.