Skip to main content
PMC home page
Skull Base Surgery logoLink to Skull Base Surgery
. 2000;10(1):1–9. doi: 10.1055/s-2000-6789

Tumors of the Infratemporal Fossa

Rammohan Tiwari, Jasper Quak, Saskia Egeler, Ludi Smeele, Isaac vd Waal, Paul vd Valk, Rene Leemans
PMCID: PMC1656742  PMID: 17171095

Abstract

Neoplastic processes involving the infratemporal fossa may originate from the tissues in the region, but more often are the result of extension from neighboring structures. Metastatic lesions located in the region are rarely encountered. Because of its concealed localization, tumors may remain unnoticed for some time. Clinical signs and symptoms often arise late, are insidious, and may be mistakenly attributed to other structures. The close proximity of the area to the intracranial structures, the orbit, the paranasal sinuses, the nasopharynx, and the facial area demands careful planning of surgical excision and combined procedures may be called for. Modern imaging techniques have made three-dimensional visualization of the extent of the pathology possible. Treatment depends on the histopathology and staging of the tumor. Several surgical approaches have been developed over the years. Radical tumor excision with preservation of the quality of life remain the ultimate goal for those tumors where surgery is indicated. Experience over a decade with various pathologies is presented.

Full text

PDF
9

Images in this article

6Figure 1
on p.6
6p6-b
on p.6
7Figure 2
on p.7
7Figure 3
on p.7

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Abdel-Fattah H. M., Adams G. L., Wick M. R. Hemangiopericytoma of the maxillary sinus and skull base. Head Neck. 1990 Jan-Feb;12(1):77–83. doi: 10.1002/hed.2880120112. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Al-Mefty O., Smith R. R. Surgery of tumors invading the cavernous sinus. Surg Neurol. 1988 Nov;30(5):370–381. doi: 10.1016/0090-3019(88)90200-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Arena S., Hilal E. Y. Neurilemomas of the infratemporal space: report of a case and review of the literature. Arch Otolaryngol. 1976 Mar;102(3):180–184. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1976.00780080102015. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Attia E. L., Bentley K. C., Head T., Mulder D. A new external approach to the pterygomaxillary fossa and parapharyngeal space. Head Neck Surg. 1984 Mar-Apr;6(4):884–891. doi: 10.1002/hed.2890060414. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. BARBOSA J. F. Surgery of extensive cancer of paranasal sinuses. Presentation of a new technique. Arch Otolaryngol. 1961 Feb;73:129–138. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1961.00740020135001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Beauvillain C., Calais C., Launay M. C., Bordure P., Zanaret M., Legent F. Les tumeurs nerveuses de la fosse infra-temporale. Ann Otolaryngol Chir Cervicofac. 1991;108(2):107–111. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. CONLEY J. J. TUMORS OF THE INFRATEMPORAL FOSSA. Arch Otolaryngol. 1964 May;79:498–504. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1964.00750030509011. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. CONLEY J. J. The surgical approach to the pterygoid area. Ann Surg. 1956 Jul;144(1):39–43. doi: 10.1097/00000658-195607000-00006. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. CROCKETT D. J. SURGICAL APPROACH TO THE BACK OF THE MAXILLA. Br J Surg. 1963 Sep;50:819–821. doi: 10.1002/bjs.18005022613. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Cantrell R. W., Kaplan M. J., Atuk N. O., Winn H. R., Jahrsdoerfer R. A. Catecholamine-secreting infratemporal fossa paraganglioma. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1984 Nov-Dec;93(6 Pt 1):583–588. doi: 10.1177/000348948409300610. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Catalano P. J., Biller H. F. Extended osteoplastic maxillotomy. A versatile new procedure for wide access to the central skull base and infratemporal fossa. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1993 Apr;119(4):394–400. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1993.01880160038007. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Chevalier D., Parent M., Lecomte-Houcke M., Piquet J. J. Liposarcome de la fosse infra-temporale. A propos d'un cas. Ann Otolaryngol Chir Cervicofac. 1991;108(4):253–255. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Chong V. F., Fan Y. F., Khoo J. B., Lim T. A. Comparing computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging visualisation of the pterygopalatine fossa in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 1995 May;24(3):436–441. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Colmenero C., Rivers T., Patron M., Sierra I., Gamallo C. Maxillofacial malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 1991 Jan;19(1):40–46. doi: 10.1016/s1010-5182(05)80270-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Cook H. F., Miller R., Yamada R. Giant cell tumor of the infratemporal fossa: report of case. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1986 Aug;44(8):651–656. doi: 10.1016/s0278-2391(86)80079-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Doubleday L. C., Jing B. S., Wallace S. Computed tomography of the infratemporal fossa. Radiology. 1981 Mar;138(3):619–624. doi: 10.1148/radiology.138.3.7465838. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Enzinger F. M., Smith B. H. Hemangiopericytoma. An analysis of 106 cases. Hum Pathol. 1976 Jan;7(1):61–82. doi: 10.1016/s0046-8177(76)80006-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Farr H. W., Gray G. F., Jr, Vrana M., Panio M. Extracranial meningioma. J Surg Oncol. 1973 May;5(5):411–420. doi: 10.1002/jso.2930050503. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Favara B. E. Langerhans' cell histiocytosis pathobiology and pathogenesis. Semin Oncol. 1991 Feb;18(1):3–7. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Fisch U., Fagan P., Valavanis A. The infratemporal fossa approach for the lateral skull base. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 1984 Aug;17(3):513–552. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Fisch U. Infratemporal fossa approach to tumours of the temporal bone and base of the skull. J Laryngol Otol. 1978 Nov;92(11):949–967. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100086382. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Goldenberg R. A. Surgeon's view of the skull base from the lateral approach. Laryngoscope. 1984 Dec;94(12 Pt 2 Suppl 36):1–21. doi: 10.1002/lary.1984.94.s36.1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Granich M. S., Pilch B. Z., Goodman M. L. Meningiomas presenting in the paranasal sinuses and temporal bone. Head Neck Surg. 1983 Mar-Apr;5(4):319–328. doi: 10.1002/hed.2890050407. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. HOYE S. J., HOAR C. S., Jr, MURRAY J. E. Extracranial meningioma presenting as a tumor of the neck. Am J Surg. 1960 Sep;100:486–489. doi: 10.1016/0002-9610(60)90394-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Hernández Altemir F. Transfacial access to the retromaxillary area. J Maxillofac Surg. 1986 Jun;14(3):165–170. doi: 10.1016/s0301-0503(86)80285-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Hertzanu Y., Mendelsohn D. B. Computed tomography of the infratemporal fossa in primary jaw pathology. Clin Radiol. 1984 May;35(3):203–207. doi: 10.1016/s0009-9260(84)80134-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Holliday M. J., Nachlas N., Kennedy D. W. Uses and modifications of the infratemporal fossa approach to skull-base tumors. Ear Nose Throat J. 1986 Mar;65(3):101–106. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Inglis A. F., Yarington C. T., Jr, Bolen J. Extrameningeal meningiomas of the infratemporal fossa: diagnosis and treatment. Laryngoscope. 1987 Jun;97(6):689–692. doi: 10.1288/00005537-198706000-00007. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Janecka I. P., Sen C. N., Sekhar L. N., Arriaga M. Facial translocation: a new approach to the cranial base. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990 Sep;103(3):413–419. doi: 10.1177/019459989010300312. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Johnson A. T., Maran A. G. Extra-cranial tumours of the infratemporal fossa. J Laryngol Otol. 1982 Nov;96(11):1017–1026. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100093452. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Knox R. D., Pratt M. F., Garen P. D., Giles W. C. Intramuscular hemangioma of the infratemporal fossa. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990 Oct;103(4):637–641. doi: 10.1177/019459989010300419. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Kornfehl J., Gstöttner W., Kontrus M., Sedivy R. Transpalatine excision of a cavernous hemangioma of the infratemporal fossa. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 1996;253(3):172–175. doi: 10.1007/BF00615116. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Krause C. J., Baker S. R. Extended transantral approach to pterygomaxillary tumors. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1982 Jul-Aug;91(4 Pt 1):395–398. doi: 10.1177/000348948209100415. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Le Vay J., O'Sullivan B., Catton C., Cummings B., Fornasier V., Gullane P., Simm J. An assessment of prognostic factors in soft-tissue sarcoma of the head and neck. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1994 Sep;120(9):981–986. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1994.01880330061011. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Lepkowski A., Dej S., Grabska M., Sośnierz M. Diagnostyka i leczenie guzów dołu podskroniowego. Otolaryngol Pol. 1991;45(6):422–425. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Mark R. J., Sercarz J. A., Tran L., Selch M., Calcaterra T. C. Fibrosarcoma of the head and neck. The UCLA experience. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1991 Apr;117(4):396–401. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1991.01870160050007. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. McGill T. Rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck: an update. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 1989 Jun;22(3):631–636. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Menard M., Laccourreye O., Chabardes E., Carnot F., Brasnu D., Laccourreye H. Histiocytofibrome de la fosse infra-temporale. A propos d'un cas. Ann Otolaryngol Chir Cervicofac. 1991;108(2):103–106. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Mossböck R., Beham A., Kärcher H. Synovialom der Fossa infratemporalis: Ein Fallbericht. Dtsch Z Mund Kiefer Gesichtschir. 1988 Jul-Aug;12(4):303–306. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Rayappa C. S., McArthur P. D., Gangopadhyay K., Antonius J. I. Solitary fibrous tumour of the infratemporal fossa. J Laryngol Otol. 1996 Jun;110(6):594–597. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100134358. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Schouwenburg P. F., Kupperman D., Bakker F. P., Blank L. E., de Boer H. B., Voûte T. A. New combined treatment of surgery, radiotherapy, and reconstruction in head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma in children: the AMORE protocol. Head Neck. 1998 Jul;20(4):283–292. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0347(199807)20:4<283::aid-hed1>3.0.co;2-v. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Sekhar L. N., Schramm V. L., Jr, Jones N. F. Subtemporal-preauricular infratemporal fossa approach to large lateral and posterior cranial base neoplasms. J Neurosurg. 1987 Oct;67(4):488–499. doi: 10.3171/jns.1987.67.4.0488. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Shaheen O. H. Swellings of the infratemporal fossa. J Laryngol Otol. 1982 Sep;96(9):817–836. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100093166. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Shapshay S. M., Elber E., Strong M. S. Occult tumors of the infratemporal fossa: report of seven cases appearing as preauricular facial pain. Arch Otolaryngol. 1976 Sep;102(9):535–538. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1976.00780140067006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Shapshay S. M., McCann C. F., Ucmakli A., Vaughan C. W., Strong M. S. Diagnosis of infratemporal fossa tumors using percutaneous core needle biopsy. Head Neck Surg. 1979 Sep-Oct;2(1):35–41. doi: 10.1002/hed.2890020106. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Shotton J. C., Schmid S., Fisch U. The infratemporal fossa approach for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the skull base and nasopharynx. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 1991 Dec;24(6):1445–1464. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Spearman M., Curtin H., Dusenbery D., Janecka I. P., Reyna E. L. Computed tomography-directed fine needle aspiration of skull base parapharyngeal and infratemporal fossa masses. Skull Base Surg. 1995;5(4):199–205. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1058916. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Tiwari R. Surgical landmarks of the infratemporal fossa. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 1998 Apr;26(2):84–86. doi: 10.1016/s1010-5182(98)80044-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Toriumi D. M., Shermetaro C. B., Pecaro B. C. Cavernous hemangioma of the infratemporal fossa. Ear Nose Throat J. 1989 Mar;68(3):252, 258-9. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Vaillant J. M. Chirurgie de la fosse infra-temporale. Une voie d'abord cutanée améliorée. Rev Stomatol Chir Maxillofac. 1994;95(6):446–450. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Wei W. I., Lam K. H., Sham J. S. New approach to the nasopharynx: the maxillary swing approach. Head Neck. 1991 May-Jun;13(3):200–207. doi: 10.1002/hed.2880130306. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Wijnaendts L. C., van der Linden J. C., van Unnik A. J., Delemarre J. F., Voute P. A., Meijer C. J. Histopathological classification of childhood rhabdomyosarcomas: relationship with clinical parameters and prognosis. Hum Pathol. 1994 Sep;25(9):900–907. doi: 10.1016/0046-8177(94)90009-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Willman C. L. Detection of clonal histiocytes in Langerhans cell histiocytosis: biology and clinical significance. Br J Cancer Suppl. 1994 Sep;23:S29–S33. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Wolff M., Rankow R. M. Meningioma of the parotid gland: an insight into the pathogenesis of extracranial meningiomas. Hum Pathol. 1971 Sep;2(3):453–459. doi: 10.1016/s0046-8177(71)80010-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Yu R. C., Chu C., Buluwela L., Chu A. C. Clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells in Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Lancet. 1994 Mar 26;343(8900):767–768. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(94)91842-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Skull base surgery are provided here courtesy of Thieme Medical Publishers

RESOURCES