Temporal craniotomy

For exposure of the temporal lobe from the base of the middle fossa to the sylvian fissure.

1. temporal lobe biopsy: herpes simplex encephalitis

2. temporal lobectomy: for resection of the seizure focus, decompression post-trauma…

3. hematoma (epidural or subdural) overlying temporal lobe

4. Temporal lobe tumor

5. small, laterally located vestibular schwannomas ¹⁾.

6. access to the floor of the middle cranial fossa (including foramen ovale/Meckel’s cave, the labyrinthine and upper tympanic portion of the facial nerve)

7. access to medial temporal lobe e.g. for amygdalohippocampectomy or for mesial temporal sclerosis

Temporal lobe surgery

Anterior temporal lobectomy for epilepsy.

Frontotemporal approach.

Infratemporal approach.

Subtemporal approach.

Transtemporal approach.