BACKGROUND The infratemporal fossa anatomy, from an endoscopic standpoint, is poorly understood. Our purpose was to design an anatomic model that illustrates the anatomy of the infratemporal fossa from the endoscopic standpoint and serves as a training model for surgeons interested in pursuing this endeavor. METHODS Red and blue silicone dyes were respectively injected into the great vessels ...

The infratemporal fossa is often the site of pathology or surgical intervention. We describe an unusual muscle found during the routine dissection of the right infratemporal fossa. The literature germane to this variable muscle, best described as a variant of the pterygoideus proprius, is reviewed. The clinician may contemplate the wide array of muscular anomalies within the infratemporal fossa...

The infratemporal fossa has traditionally been described as a post-maxillary space, which is open below, to the rear and laterally. The most reliable osseous landmarks of the infratemporal and parapharyngeal spaces are the pterygoid and styloid processes and the sphenoidal spine. In the present study the skull exhibited the normal sphenoidal spines along with a prominent spinous projection eman...

OBJECTIVES To report a giant cell tumor (GCT) of temporal bone and infratemporal fossa and to review the literature pertinent to the care of such patients. STUDY DESIGN Case report and review of the literature. METHODS A review of the literature was conducted using Pubmed and the key words temporal bone, GCT, infratemporal fossa, and recurrent GCT. Medical records from an index case were an...

Synovial sarcoma is a soft tissue sarcoma especially encountered in the lower extremities. The infratemporal fossa is quite a rare location. Since it is a closed location, combined approaches and multidisciplinary planning always need to be considered. This case emphasizes the high-grade character of synovial sarcoma, which causes it to recur often. The difficulty of clear surgical margins in t...

BACKGROUND Trigeminal schwannomas are uncommon intracranial tumors. Extracranial trigeminal schwannomas in the infratemporal fossa are rare. METHODS We present a case with a clinical history of facial pain. MRI and CT scans showed a mass arising from the infratemporal fossa extending into the intracranial space. RESULTS We performed a combined neurosurgical and maxillofacial approach with p...

INTRODUCTION Atypical infratemporal fossa infections are rare and potentially fatal. CASE REPORT A case of an aspergillosis localized in the infratemporal fossa and another case of tuberculosis of the infratemporal fossa originating from the maxillary sinus, is described. The first patient was immunocompromised and showed symptoms of facial numbness; whereas the other was an immunocompetent m...

The removal of impacted maxillary third molars is one of the most common procedures performed in oral and maxillofacial surgery units with low rates of complications and morbidity. A few cases of accidental displacement of third molars into adjacent anatomical spaces, such as the infratemporal fossa, the pterygomandibular space, the maxillary sinus, buccal space, or the lateral pharyngeal space...

Successful surgical treatments depend upon accurate diagnosis, judicious treatment planning, selection and execution of an appropriate surgical technique, and on a well monitored post-operative period. However, despite these precautions, extraction of teeth (particularly third molar) is exposed to the accidents and complications common to all buccomaxillary and facial interventions. A maxillary...