Abstract
Since the mid-1960s surgeons have attempted to cure intracranial perineural spread
(PNS) of cutaneous malignancies. Untreated patients with trigeminal PNS die from brainstem
invasion and leptomeningeal disease. It was understood that resection with clear margins
was potentially curative, but early surgical attempts were unsuccessful. The prevailing
wisdom considered that this surgery failed to improve the results achieved with radiation
therapy alone and was associated with high morbidity. However, with improved imaging,
surgical equipment, and better understanding of cavernous sinus (CS) anatomy and access,
contemporary surgeons can improve outcomes for this disease. The aim of this paper
is to describe a technique to access the interdural compartment of the CS and treat
PNS of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) in the intracranial trigeminal nerve
and ganglion. It is based on the experience of the Queensland Skull Base Unit, Australia
in managing PNS of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cSCCHN).
Keywords
perineural spread - Meckel cave - cavernous sinus - interdural surgery