If blood supply to the brain hemisphere is disturbed following closure of internal homolateral carotid artery tumors of the skull base with involvement of this artery should not be operated on radically. The authors describe the electrophysiological monitoring of cortical evoked somato-sensory potentials. If there is no alteration of the evoked potentials after preliminary reversible blockade of the internal carotid artery this vessel can be definitely closed using a detachable balloon. Thereafter the whole tumor including the carotid artery can be removed. The authors describe a case of juvenile angiofibroma operated on in this way. The combined interventional-neuroradiological and surgical management widens the range of skull base surgery.
