The most common cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumor is a vestibular schwannoma, but one in five CPA tumors are not vestibular schwannomas. These tumors may require different management strategies. Compared with vestibular schwannomas, symptoms and signs from cranial nerve VIII are less frequent: other cranial nerve and cerebellar symptoms and signs predominate in patients with these less common CPA tumors. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging often show features leading to the correct diagnosis. Treatment most often includes surgery, but a policy of observation or subtotal resection is often wiser. This review provides a structured approach to the diagnosis of nonvestibular schwannoma CPA lesions and also management guidelines.

The extended middle fossa approach to the cerebello-pontine angle was practiced in ten human temporal bones, and the topographical relations of essential structures were studied by exposure of the bony labyrinth. After identification of the greater superficial petrosal nerve and the grey line of the superior semicircular canal landmarks were defined in order to localize the vertical crest (Bill\'s bar), the ampulla of the superior semicircular canal, the intralabyrinthine part of the facial nerve, the cochlea, and the internal carotid artery. The advantages of the extended middle fossa approach for the preservation of the labyrinthine and cochlear structures together with the safe identification of the facial and cochleo-vestibular nerves are emphasized.