ABSTRACT
The posterior fossa is an intracranial cavity that contains the brainstem, cerebellum, and cranial nerves. Because of its relatively small size and the vital structures housed within the posterior fossa, mass effect is poorly tolerated in this location. Posterior fossa surgery is commonly performed to remove infratentorial tumors and vascular malformations. Posterior fossa tumors are more common in children than adults and account for up to 70" of all childhood brain tumors and up to 20" of all adult brain tumors. Procedures for the posterior fossa are usually open surgical procedures. Endovascular procedures address cerebrovascular disorders as well as preoperative tumor embolization. If surgery is to be performed, the precise goals of the surgery are addressed. Again these are dependent on the disease being treated. It is important to know whether an open biopsy, a gross total resection, or a subtotal resection will be performed in case of tumors.
