| Craniectomy is most commonly performed to remove a tumor or hematoma, a collection of blood and blood clots, from beneath the skull. A hematoma beneath the skull takes up space, compresses the brain, and decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to brain tissue. If not removed promptly, hematomas often cause permanent brain damage. Hematomas found between the skull and outer covering of the brain (dura mater) are called epidural hematomas and are often arterial in origin. When found between the outer and middle coverings of the brain, they are called subdural hematomas and are often venous in origin.
Craniectomy performed at the base of the skull is called suboccipital craniectomy. This approach allows exploration of the lower back portion of the brain (posterior fossa) and surgical treatment of diseases affecting certain cranial nerves. Through a suboccipital craniectomy, the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) can be decompressed or deliberately cut in order to treat severe facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia). The ninth cranial nerve (glossopharyngeal nerve) can be cut to treat severe pain originating in the throat and spreading to the ear (glossopharyngeal neuralgia). A suboccipital craniectomy may also be used to remove tumors (acoustic neuromas) from the hearing (auditory) canal, or to cut a portion of the eighth cranial nerve (the vestibular branch of the vestibulocochlear nerve) when surgically treating Ménière's disease, a chronic condition of the inner ear. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor