Acta Neurochirurgica

, Volume 156, Issue 2, pp 409–413 | Cite as

Approaches to temporal lobe lesions: a proposal for classification

Review Article - Brain Tumors
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Background

Tumor surgery in the temporal region is challenging due to anatomical complexity and the versatility of surgical approaches. The aim was to categorize temporal lobe tumors based on anatomical, functional, and vascular considerations and to devise a systematic field manual of surgical approaches.

Methods

Tumors were classified into four main types with assigned approaches: Type I-lateral: transcortical; type II-polar: pterional/transcortical; type III-central: transsylvian/trans-opercular; type IV-mesial: transsylvian/trans-cisternal if more anterior (=Type IV A), and supratentorial/infraoccipital if more posterior (=type IV B). 105 patients have been operated on prospectively using the advocated guidelines. Outcomes were evaluated.

Conclusion

Systematic application of the proposed classification facilitated a tailored approach, with gross total tumor resection of 88 %. Neurological and surgical morbidity were less than 10 %. The proposed classification may prove a valuable tool for surgical planning.

Keywords

Temporal lobe tumor Surgical approach Tumor classification Transsylvian approach Temporal anatomy 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the artistic work of Peter Roth (Zurich/Switzerland).

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Wien 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  • Katharina Faust
    • 1
  • Peter Schmiedek
    • 2
  • Peter Vajkoczy
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of NeurosurgeryCharité University HospitalBerlinGermany
  2. 2.Department of Neurosurgery, University HospitalMedical Faculty of University HeidelbergMannheimGermany

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