What is the cerebellopontine angle?

Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) is a triangular space in the posterior cranial fossa that is bounded by the tentorium superiorly, brainstem posteromedially and petrous part of temporal bone posterolaterally.

What causes cerebellopontine angle tumors?

Causes. In most cases, the cause of acoustic neuromas is unknown. The only statistically significant risk factor for developing an acoustic neuroma is having a rare genetic condition called neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). There are no confirmed environmental risk factors for acoustic neuroma.

What are the main clinical signs of a tumor of the cerebellopontine angle?

Presenting symptoms of CPA tumors (including acoustic neuromas) include the following:

What exits at cerebellopontine angle?

The facial (CNVII) and vestibulocochlear (CNVIII) nerves exit the brainstem at the cerebellopontine angle and proceed into the internal acoustic canal. Here, the facial nerve is typically anterior and superior relative to the vestibulocochlear nerve.

What is cerebellopontine cistern?

The cerebellopontine angle (CPA) cistern, also known as the pontocerebellar cistern, is a triangular CSF-filled subarachnoid cistern that lies between the anterior surface of the cerebellum and the lateral surface of the pons.

What is the meaning of Cerebellopontine?

Listen to pronunciation. (SAYR-eh-BEH-loh-PON-teen) Having to do with two structures of the brain, the cerebellum (located at the lower back of the brain) and the pons (located at the base of the brain in front of the cerebellum) and the area between them.

What is the most common tumor of the cerebellopontine angle?

The most common cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumor is a vestibular schwannoma, but one in five CPA tumors are not vestibular schwannomas. These tumors may require different management strategies.

What is a CPA in the brain?

Cerebellopontine angle tumors (CPAs) occur between the lower part of the brain and the brain stem. Most CPAs are benign, but can cause nerve damage or compress the brain stem if not treated. About 90 percent of the time, the first symptom is hearing loss in one ear, accompanied by tinnitus, ringing in the ears.

What is a CPA meningioma?

Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) meningiomas account for 1.5% of intracranial meningiomas and dominated (58.3%) in a series of meningiomas of the posterior skull base [1-2]. Of all CPA tumors, meningiomas are the second-most frequent tumor in this area [3].

Where is the right CP angle?

Cerebellopontine Angle Anatomy The CP angle is a triangular space located posterior to the pyramid, inferior to the tentorium, lateral to the pons, and ventral to the cerebellum. It is defined by the superior and inferior limbs of the CP fissure (Fig. 38.1).

What is posterior fossa?

The posterior fossa is a small space in the skull, found near the brainstem and cerebellum. The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for balance and coordinated movements. The brainstem is responsible for controlling vital body functions, such as breathing.

Is NF2 genetic?

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a genetic condition that causes tumours to grow along your nerves. The tumours are usually non-cancerous (benign) but may cause a range of symptoms. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is covered separately because it has different symptoms and causes. It’s also much more common than NF2.

What cranial nerves are in the cerebellopontine angle?

Within the cerebellopontine angle, the superior vestibular nerve is posterior and superior, the facial nerve anterior and superior, the inferior vestibular nerve posterior and inferior, and the cochlear nerve anterior and inferior.

Are schwannomas painful?

Schwannomas usually don’t produce symptoms until they become large enough to put pressure on the nerves around them. You may feel occasional pain in the area that’s controlled by the affected nerve. Some other common systems include: a visible lump under the skin.

What are the parts of the pons?

The pons is divided into two sections—the pontine tegmentum on the interior part and the basilar pons on the outer part. The basilar pons forms a bulb-like protrusion from the pons that is a notable feature on the brainstem. 2 The basilar pons sits on the occipital bone and contains the basilar artery.

Where is the Cerebellopontine?

The cerebellopontine angle (CPA) (Latin: angulus cerebellopontinus) is located between the cerebellum and the pons. The cerebellopontine angle is the site of the cerebellopontine angle cistern one of the subarachnoid cisterns that contains cerebrospinal fluid, arachnoid tissue, cranial nerves, and associated vessels.

What does Cisterna Magna mean?

Medical Definition of cisterna magna : a large subarachnoid space between the caudal part of the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata.

What are basal cisterns?

The subarachnoid cisterns, or basal cisterns, are compartments within the subarachnoid space where the pia mater and arachnoid membrane are not in close approximation and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) forms pools or cisterns (Latin: box).

How is a vestibular schwannoma removed?

Retrosigmoid approach (also known as the retromastoid approach or the suboccipital approach). This involves an incision behind the ear and removal of bone to expose the tumor. It can be used for any size tumor and, in patients with small tumors, can sometimes preserve hearing.

What is the second most common lesion of the cerebellopontine angle after vestibular schwannoma?

Introduction. Lesions of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are frequent and represent 6%–10% of all intracranial tumors (,1),(,2). Acoustic neuromas, which are also called vestibular schwannomas (,3), and meningiomas are the two most frequent lesions and account for approximately 85%–90% of all CPA tumors (,1).

What is CPA surgery?

Endoscopic surgical techniques in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) have improved visualization of the tumor and adjacent structures. Stereotactic methods have improved accuracy of the delivery of microsurgical dissection and radiation therapy, thus minimizing damage to adjacent tissue.

What is the difference between acoustic neuroma and vestibular schwannoma?

Acoustic neuromas arise from Schwann cells, which wrap around and support nerve fibers, hence the name vestibular schwannoma. Schwannomas can occur on any cranial or peripheral nerve in the body, but in the brain, acoustic neuromas are the most common schwannomas.

What were your first signs of a brain tumor?

What were your first signs and symptoms of a brain tumor?

How serious is a meningioma?

Although the majority of meningiomas are benign, these tumors can grow slowly until they are very large, if left undiscovered, and, in some locations, can be severely disabling and life-threatening. Other forms of meningioma may be more aggressive.

What is Retrosigmoid craniotomy?

Retro-sigmoid craniotomy (often called keyhole craniotomy) is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure performed to remove brain tumors. This procedure allows for the removal of skull base tumors through a small incision behind the ear, providing access to the cerebellum and brainstem.