Temporal and Frontotemporal Craniotomy

Indications

The frontotemporal “pterional” craniotomy is considered the workhorse of skull base approaches.

• Temporal lobectomy in patients with medically refractory epilepsy (anterior temporal lobectomy versus selective amygdalohippocampectomy)

• Removal of sphenoid wing meningiomas and intrinsic frontal/temporal lobe tumors

• Access to the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle for vascular or neoplastic pathology

• Temporal lobe lesions of unknown etiology, such as an infection

• Traumatic pathology such as subdural/epidural hematoma, basal frontal intraparenchymal contusions

• Vascular lesions, such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and cavernomas of the frontal or temporal lobe