MATERIAL and METHODS: Clinical data of 66 patients undergoing microsurgery for lesions located in the cavernous sinus from January 2011 to December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS: Histopathological examination revealed benign lesions in 60 (90.9%) patients, the most common histopathological types were meningiomas, schwannomas, and cavernous hemangiomas. Only six (9.1%) patients had malignant lesions. The gross total resection rate was 33%, subtotal resection rate was 21%, substantial partial resection rate was 26%, and partial resection rate was 20%. Factors influencing the extent of lesion resection included the presence of cavernous sinus syndrome prior to surgery, the size of the lesion, the site of origin, and the surrounding of the internal carotid artery, all of which detrimentally influenced total excision (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Most lesions involving the cavernous sinus are histopathologically benign. Preoperative cavernous sinus syndrome, the size of the lesion, the site of origin, and the surrounding of the internal carotid artery all detrimentally influence the extent of lesion resection. Keywords : Cavernous sinus, Pathological features, Microsurgery