Transoral Approach to the Craniovertebral Junction: A Neuronavigated Cadaver Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 51-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Signorelli ◽  
Alessandro Costantini ◽  
Vittorio Stumpo ◽  
Giulio Conforti ◽  
Alessandro Olivi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Cadaver Study ◽  
Transoral Approach

Ventral Surgical Approaches to Craniovertebral Junction Chordomas

Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_3) ◽  
pp. A96-A103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harminder Singh ◽  
James Harrop ◽  
Paul Schiffmacher ◽  
Marc Rosen ◽  
James Evans
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Management ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Transoral Approach ◽  
Operative Approach ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Transnasal Approach ◽  
Neural Axis ◽  
Endoscopic Transnasal Approach

Abstract BACKGROUND Chordomas are primarily malignant tumors encountered at either end of the neural axis; the craniovertebral junction and the sacrococcygeal junction. In this article, we discuss the surgical management of craniovertebral junction chordomas. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we discuss the surgical management of craniovertebral junction chordomas. RESULTS The following approaches are illustrated: transoral-transpalatopharyngeal approach, high anterior cervical retropharyngeal approach, endoscopic transoral approach, and endoscopic transnasal approach. No single operative approach can be used for all craniovertebral chordomas. Therefore, the location of the tumor dictates which approach or approaches should be used.

scholarly journals Surgery for Craniovertebral Junction Pathologies: Minimally Invasive Anterior Submandibular Retropharyngeal Key-Hole Approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Árpád Viola ◽  
István Kozma ◽  
Dávid Süvegh
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Wound Dehiscence ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Transoral Approach ◽  
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Decompressive Laminectomy ◽  
Neurological Improvement ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Minimally Invasive Surgical

Abstract BackgroundOur objective was to develop a new, minimally invasive surgical technique for the resolution of craniovertebral junction pathologies, which can eliminate the complications of the previous methods, like liquor-leakage, velopharyngeal insufficiency and wound-dehiscence associated with the transoral or lateral approaches.MethodsDuring the first stage of the operation, three patients underwent occipito-cervical dorsal fusion, while the fourth patient received C1-C2 fusion according to Harms. C1-C2 decompressive laminectomy was performed in all four cases. Ventral C1-C2 decompression with microscope assisted minimally invasive anterior submandibular retropharyngeal key-hole approach (MIS ASR) method was performed in the second stage. The MIS ASR similarly to the traditional anterior retropharyngeal surgery – preserves the hard and soft palates, yet can be performed through a 25 mm wide incision with the use of only one retractor.ResultsThe MIS ASR approach was a success in all four cases, there were no intra- and postoperative complications. This method, compared to the transoral approach, provided on average 23% (4.56 cm2 / 6.05 cm2) smaller dural decompression area; nonetheless, the entire pathology could be removed in all cases. After the surgery, all patients have shown significant neurological improvement.ConclusionBased on the outcome of these four cases we think that the MIS ASR approach is a safe alternative to the traditional methods while improving patient safety by reducing the risks of complications.

ENDOSCOPIC IMAGE‐GUIDED TRANSORAL APPROACH TO THE CRANIOVERTEBRAL JUNCTION: AN ANATOMIC STUDY COMPARING SURGICAL EXPOSURE AND SURGICAL FREEDOM OBTAINED WITH THE ENDOSCOPE AND THE OPERATING MICROSCOPE

2009 ◽  
Vol 64 (suppl_5) ◽  
pp. ons437-ons444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Promod Pillai ◽  
Mirza N. Baig ◽  
Chris S. Karas ◽  
Mario Ammirati
Keyword(s):  
Soft Palate ◽  
Image Guidance ◽  
Odontoid Process ◽  
Posterior Pharyngeal Wall ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Craniocervical Junction ◽  
Transoral Approach ◽  
Operating Microscope ◽  
Microscopic Approach ◽  
Pharyngeal Wall

Abstract OBJECTIVE The transoral approach is the most direct and commonly used method to access the ventral craniocervical junction. Recently, an endonasal, endoscopic approach to the craniovertebral junction was proposed. We reasoned that the coupling of the endoscope with the direct transoral approach and image guidance could result in a minimally invasive, simple approach to the ventral craniovertebral junction. We investigated the potential usefulness of such an approach in a cadaver model. METHODS A direct transoral approach to the craniovertebral junction was performed using computed tomography-based image guidance in 9 fresh adult head specimens. Endoscopic odontoidectomy was performed in 5 specimens. In the remaining 4 specimens, the surgical working area and surgical freedom associated with an endoscopic and a microscopic approach to the ventral craniovertebral junction were evaluated and compared. In these 4 specimens, we also measured and compared the exposure of the clivus provided by the endoscope and by the operating microscope without splitting the soft palate. RESULTS With variously angled endoscopic assistance and image guidance, it was possible to tailor the excision of the anterior arch of the atlas and to precisely identify the odontoid process and its related ligaments intraoperatively, resulting in a complete and controlled odontoidectomy. The surgical area exposed over the posterior pharyngeal wall was significantly improved using the endoscope (606.5 ± 127.4 mm3) compared with the operating microscope (425.7 ± 100.8 mm3), without any compromise of surgical freedom (P < 0.05). The extent of the clivus exposed with the endoscope (9.5 ± 0.7 mm) without splitting the soft palate was significantly improved compared with that associated with microscopic approach (2.0 ± 0.4 mm) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION With the aid of the endoscope and image guidance, it is possible to approach the ventral craniovertebral junction transorally with minimal tissue dissection, no palatal splitting, and no compromise of surgical freedom. In addition, the use of an angled-lens endoscope can significantly improve the exposure of the clivus without splitting the soft palate. An endoscope-assisted transoral approach is a direct and powerful tool for the treatment of surgical pathology at the craniovertebral junction.

scholarly journals Detailed Anatomy for the Transoral Approach to the Craniovertebral Junction: An Exposure and Safety Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (02) ◽  
pp. 133-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Xia ◽  
Zenghui Wu ◽  
Fuzhi Ai ◽  
Junjie Xu ◽  
Qingshui Yin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Transoral Approach ◽  
Safety Study

Comparison of the Far Lateral and Extreme Lateral Variants of the Atlanto-occipital Transarticular Approach to Anterior Extradural Lesions of the Craniovertebral Junction

Neurosurgery ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 662-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatou Kawashima ◽  
Necmettin Tanriover ◽  
Albert L. Rhoton ◽  
Arthur J. Ulm ◽  
Toshio Matsushima
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Anterior Part ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Lateral Approach ◽  
Sternocleidomastoid Muscle ◽  
Transoral Approach ◽  
Microsurgical Anatomy ◽  
Far Lateral Approach ◽  
Far Lateral

Abstract OBJECTIVE Managing lesions situated in the anterior aspect of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) remains a challenging neurosurgical problem. The purposes of this study were to examine the microsurgical anatomy of the anterior extradural aspect of the CVJ and the differences in the exposure obtained by the far lateral and extreme lateral atlanto-occipital transarticular approaches. The far lateral approach, as originally described, is a lateral suboccipital approach directed behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the vertebral artery and just medial to the occipital and atlantal condyles and the atlanto-occipital joint. The extreme lateral approach, as originally described, is a direct lateral approach deep to the anterior part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and behind the internal jugular vein along the front of the vertebral artery. Both approaches permit drilling of the condyles at the atlanto-occipital joint but provide a different exposure because of the differences in the direction of the approach. METHODS Fifteen adult cadaveric specimens were studied using a magnification of ×3 to ×40 after perfusion of the arteries and veins with colored silicone. The microsurgical anatomy of the extradural aspects of the CVJ and the two atlanto-occipital transarticular approaches were examined in stepwise dissections. RESULTS The far lateral atlanto-occipital transarticular approach provides excellent exposure of the extradural lesions located in the ipsilateral anterior and anterolateral aspects of the extradural region of the CVJ. The extreme lateral atlanto-occipital transarticular approach provides excellent exposure, not only on the side of the exposure, but also extending across the midline to the medial aspect of the contralateral atlanto-occipital joint and the lower clivus. CONCLUSION The far lateral and extreme lateral variants of the atlanto-occipital transarticular approach provide an alternative to the transoral approach to the anterior extradural structures at the CVJ. Compared with the transoral approach, both approaches provide a shorter operative route, avoid the contaminated nasopharynx, reduce the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leak, and are not limited laterally by the atlanto-occipital joint.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document