CPT® Code 61340

Subtemporal cranial decompression is a neurosurgical procedure aimed at alleviating elevated intracranial pressure in the temporal lobe of the brain, specifically in cases of slit ventricle syndrome and pseudotumor cerebri. This procedure involves the surgical removal of the lateral wall of the middle cranial fossa, which is the area of the skull that houses the temporal lobe. Slit ventricle syndrome is a condition characterized by the presence of very small, slit-like ventricles in the brain, often resulting from previous treatments for hydrocephalus, such as the placement of shunts to drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Pseudotumor cerebri, also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is a disorder marked by increased intracranial pressure without an identifiable cause, leading to symptoms such as headaches, visual disturbances, and swelling of the optic disc, known as papilledema. If left untreated, papilledema can result in optic nerve compression and potential blindness. The subtemporal cranial decompression procedure is rarely performed today, as it has largely been supplanted by other treatment options that may be less invasive or more effective in managing these conditions.