The Pterional Transsylvian Transtentorial Approach to Ventrolateral Pontine Cavernomas: Indications and Techniques

Although a comprehensive comparison with other approaches needs a large patient volume and a prospective designed study, the pterional transsylvian transtentorial approach could be an alternative for ventrolateral pontine cavernomas. The principle for this approach to ventrolateral pontine cavernomas is that if the thinnest parenchyma layer over the cavernoma could be defined in the ipsilateral upper ventrolateral pons, facilitated by an oblique multiangled working space, cavernomas in even the entire ventrolateral pons could be removed.