The Retrosigmoid Approach: Workhorse for Petroclival Meningioma Surgery.

Tumor characteristics played a critical role in identifying postoperative functional status. The retrosigmoid approach is suitable for treatment of majority of PCMs. It offers Simpson Grade II excision if the main part of the tumor is located in the posterior fossa in the cerebellopontine angle and the lower clivus, and only a minor part of the tumor extends to middle fossa or the posterior wall of the cavernous sinus. With incising tentorium or suprameatal extensension middle fossa extension can also be removed. Overall retrosigmoid approach provides a low degree of surgical difficulty and a low complication rate.