Commentary

The authors have described five patients with tumors involving the posterior skull base who had unusual presentations and imaging findings. They highlight their management with the use of skull base approaches to accomplish adequate debulking and palliation. None of the patients had preoperative biopsies because the location of these tumors seldom allows the surgeon to perform these safely and easily. The authors have illustrated how a judicious use of skull base approaches along with adjuvant treatment has an important role in the management of such difficult tumors and that surgeons must be aware of the variety of tumors that can present in this location.