scholarly journals Resection of a Recurrent Cervicomedullary Junction Fibromyxoid Sarcoma through a Far Lateral Approach

Author(s):  
Vincent Nguyen ◽  
William Mangham ◽  
Jaafar Basma ◽  
Nickalus Khan ◽  
Jeffrey Sorenson ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives This study describes a far lateral approach for the resection of a recurrent fibromyxoid sarcoma involving the ventrolateral brainstem, with emphasis on the microsurgical anatomy and technique. Design A far lateral craniotomy is performed in the lateral decubitus position and the transverse and sigmoid sinuses exposed. After opening the dura, sutures are placed to allow gentle mobilization of the sinuses. The recurrent tumor is immediately visible. The involved dura is resected and aggressive internal debulking is performed. Subarachnoid dissection gives access to the lower cranial nerves. The tumor is dissected off the affected portions of the brainstem. A dural graft is used to reconstitute the dura. Photographs of the region are borrowed from Dr. Rhoton's laboratory to illustrate the microsurgical anatomy. Participants The senior author performed the surgery. The video was edited by Dr. V.N. chart review, and literature review were performed by Drs. W.M. and J.B. Outcome measures Outcome was assessed with the extent of resection and postoperative neurological function. Results A near gross total resection of the lesion was achieved. The patient developed a left vocal cord paresis, but her voice was improving at 3-month follow-up. Conclusion Understanding the microsurgical anatomy of the craniocervical junction and ventrolateral brainstem and meticulous microneurosurgical technique are necessary to achieve adequate resection of lesions involving the ventrolateral brainstem. The far lateral approach provides an adequate corridor to this region.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtube/uYEhgPbgrTs.

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niklaus Krayenbühl ◽  
Carlos A. Guerrero ◽  
Ali F. Krisht

Object Aneurysms of the vertebral artery (VA) and proximal posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) are rare and challenging lesions, as they are located in front of the brainstem and surrounded by the lower cranial nerves. Many different approaches have been described for their treatment, and have yielded different results. With the use of different examples of lesions, the authors describe their surgical strategy in the management of VA and PICA aneurysms. Methods The far-lateral approach was used, and the potential of its different extensions according to the specific anatomical location and configuration of different types of aneurysms is emphasized. Conclusions With the present knowledge of the microsurgical anatomy in the region of the foramen magnum, the far-lateral approach can be tailored to the specific anatomical and morphological configuration of an aneurysm in this region with good surgical results.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunal V Vakharia ◽  
Ryan M Naylor ◽  
Jamie J Van Gompel

Abstract Neurenteric cysts are rare congenital lesions that may compress the ventral brainstem.1-9 In this operative video, we illustrate the surgical treatment of an intradural extra-axial neurenteric cyst extending from the lower pons to the craniocervical junction. The patient, an asymptomatic 52-yr-old female, underwent surveillance imaging of the premedullary lesion for 14 yr without progression. However, after developing progressive strain-induced headaches, imaging revealed a significant enlargement of the lesion with brainstem compression and partial obstruction of the foramen magnum. Therefore, surgical resection was pursued. The patient consented to the procedure. The patient underwent a lateral suboccipital craniotomy and C1 laminectomy through a far lateral approach. The lesion was immediately visualized upon opening the dura. After identifying the cranial nerves, we resected the tumor while taking care to preserve the neurovascular elements of the cerebellopontine angle and foramen magnum. During the resection, we unexpectedly encountered a firm nodule that was adherent to the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery. This was meticulously dissected and removed en bloc using intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. The cavity was inspected with 0-degree and 30-degree endoscopes to ensure complete resection of the lesion. Gross total resection was confirmed on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was neurologically intact with no cranial nerve abnormalities and discharged home on postoperative day 3. This case demonstrates that the far lateral-supracondylar approach affords safe access to the ventral pontomedullary and craniocervical junctions and that intraoperative adjuncts, including ICG angiography and endoscopic visualization, can facilitate complete lesion resection with excellent clinical outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (S 04) ◽  
pp. S363-S364
Author(s):  
Ciro Vasquez ◽  
Alexander Yang ◽  
A. Samy Youssef

We present a case of a foramen magnum meningioma in a 42-year-old female who presented with headaches for 2 years, associated with decreased sensation and overall feeling of “heaviness” of the right arm. The tumor posed significant mass effect on the brainstem, and given the location of the tumor in the anterolateral region of the foramen magnum, a right far lateral approach was chosen. The approach incorporates the interfascial dissection technique to safely expose and preserve the vertebral artery in the suboccipital triangle. After drilling the posteromedial portion of the occipital condyle and opening the dura, the tumor can be entirely exposed with minimal retraction on the cerebellum. The working space offered by the far lateral approach allows careful dissection at the lateral craniocervical junction, and preservation of the V4 segment of the vertebral artery and the lower cranial nerves. Simpson's grade-2 resection was achieved with coagulation of the dural base around the vertebral artery. The postoperative course was unremarkable for any neurological deficits. At the 2-year follow-up, imaging identified no recurrence of tumor and the patient remains asymptomatic.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/IMN1O7vO5B0.


Author(s):  
Lattimore Madison Michael ◽  
Vincent Nguyen ◽  
Jaafar Basma ◽  
William Mangham ◽  
Nickalus Khan ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives This study was aimed to describe a far lateral approach for microsurgical resection of a transverse ligament cyst, with emphasis on the microsurgical anatomy and technique. Design A far lateral craniotomy is performed in the lateral decubitus position. After opening the dura laterally, dural sutures are placed for retraction. A stitch placed through the dentate ligament is advantageous to rotate the spinal cord to allow access to the ventral cyst. The cyst is marsupirlized and mass effect on the spinal cord is relieved. Photographs of the region are borrowed from Dr Rhoton's laboratory to illustrate the microsurgical anatomy. Participants The first author performed the surgery and edited the video. Chart review and literature review were performed by the other authors. Outcome Measures Outcome was assessed with postoperative neurological function. Results The patient was discharged home after an uneventful hospital course. At short-term follow-up, the patient had a significant improvement in postoperative strength. Conclusion The far lateral approach provides an adequate corridor to the ventrolateral brainstem in combination with utilization of the dentate ligament to reach ventral cysts compressing the spinal cord. An adequate understanding of the relevant microsurgical anatomy is a key to safe surgery in this region.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/5MGVPO2Q2pI.


2016 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 196-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehab Shiban ◽  
Elisabeth Török ◽  
Maria Wostrack ◽  
Bernhard Meyer ◽  
Jens Lehmberg

OBJECT Far-lateral or extreme-lateral approaches to the skull base allow access to the lateral and anterior portion of the lower posterior fossa and foramen magnum. These approaches include a certain extent of resection of the condyle, which potentially results in craniocervical junction instability. However, it is debated what extent of condyle resection is safe and at what extent of condyle resection an occipitocervical fusion should be recommended. The authors reviewed cases of condyle resection/destruction with regard to necessity of occipitocervical fusion. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients in whom a far- or extreme-lateral approach including condyle resection of various extents was performed between January 2007 and December 2014. RESULTS Twenty-one consecutive patients who had undergone a unilateral far- or extreme-lateral approach including condyle resection were identified. There were 10 male and 11 female patients with a median age of 61 years (range 22–83 years). The extent of condyle resection was 25% or less in 15 cases, 50% in 1 case, and greater than 75% in 5 cases. None of the patients who underwent condyle resection of 50% or less was placed in a collar postoperatively or developed neck pain. Two of the patients with condyle resection of greater than 75% were placed in a semirigid collar for a period of 3 months postoperatively and remained free of pain after this period. At last follow-up none of the cases showed any clear sign of radiological or clinical instability. CONCLUSIONS The unilateral resection or destruction of the condyle does not necessarily result in craniocervical instability. No evident instability was encountered even in the 5 patients who underwent removal of more than 75% of the condyle. The far- or extreme-lateral approach may be safer than generally accepted with regard to craniocervical instability as generally considered and may not compel fusion in all cases with condylar resection of more than 75%.


2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smruti K. Patel ◽  
James K. Liu

Neurenteric cysts are rare and benign lesions that consist of ectopic alimentary tissue residing in the central nervous system. They tend to occur most frequently in an intraspinal rather than intracranial location. Intracranial neurenteric cysts are a rare occurrence in the pediatric population. These lesions typically present as unilateral cystic structures in the lower cerebellopontine angle and craniocervical junction. To the authors' knowledge, there have been no reported cases of bilateral localization of intracranial neurenteric cysts. In this report, they present an unusual case of a 10-year-old girl who was found to have bilateral intracranial neurenteric cysts at the pontomedullary junction. The patient was successfully treated with staged, bilateral far-lateral transcondylar resection of the cysts. The authors also provide a brief overview of the literature describing intracranial neurenteric cysts in children.


2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (Suppl1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
L. Madison Michael ◽  
Jeffrey M. Sorenson

A small arteriovenous malformation near the craniocervical junction with contributions from the anterior spinal artery was discovered in a young developmentally-delayed woman after she presented with altered mental status and evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The malformation could not be completely treated with endovascular therapy, so it was resected through a far-lateral approach. This stereoscopic video demonstrates how to gain the exposure needed to address a lesion in this area. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/ByjPGm_eXLc.


2003 ◽  
Vol 61 (3A) ◽  
pp. 639-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoel Baldoino Leal Filho ◽  
Guilherme Borges ◽  
Arnaldo Ferreira ◽  
Daniel França ◽  
Patricia Mello

We report two cases of craniocervical junction schwannomas with a special focus on the surgical approach. The patients underwent a far-lateral approach in the sitting position that facilitated the lesion removal. This report is meant to improve the understanding of this surgical technique as well as improve awareness of its usefulness for similar cases.


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