The problems presented in the surgical treatment of cerebellar abscess are far from solution; many of the statements current are incorrect, while the operative mortality is still very high.
In order to determine the exact situation of the intradural suppuration and other pathologic facts which may have a surgical application, I have, with the assistance of Dr. Robbins, examined all the recorded postmortem reports of patients dying from cerebellar abscesses.
SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE POSTERIOR FOSSA
Surgically, the descending portion of the lateral sinus divides the intradural contents of the posterior fossa into two unequal portions:The anterior one third (enclosed within the inaccessible triangle of the petrous pyramid and the basilar portion of the occipital bone in front and the lateral sinus behind), which contains the anterior third of the cerebellum, the pons and most of the medulla.
The posterior two thirds, containing the lateral lobes of the cerebellum