Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Extracranial Trigeminal Schwannoma: Two Case Reports

Abstract

　 Extracranial trigeminal schwannoma, a rare tumor, accounts for about 5% of all trigeminal schwannomas. We report two cases of extracranial trigeminal schwannoma located in the pterygopalatine fossa, which were treated by the endoscopic endonasal trans-maxillary approach. Intracapsular subtotal tumor removal was performed. In one patient, maxillary artery ligation was necessary. The symptoms of cheek paresthesia were relieved in both patients after the surgery. Though surgical indications for trigeminal schwannomas are limited, tumor removal is required in symptomatic or young patients. Symptomatic trigeminal schwannoma located in the pterygopalatine fossa could be removed by the endoscopic trans-maxillary approach.