The cerebellopontine angle is an anatomical recess between the Brainstem and the Cerebellum.
Surgical approach
The classic and most commonly used approach to the cerebellopontine angle is via a retrosigmoid craniotomy.
Pathologies
Many neurosurgically relevant pathologies occur in the cerebellopontine angle, including:
Neurovascular conflict involving the Trigeminal nerve, which may lead to Trigeminal neuralgia.
Neurovascular conflict involving the Facial nerve, which may lead to Hemifacial spasm.
Figure
