CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2019; 80(S 04): S368-S369
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1700892
Skull Base: Operative Videos
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Endoscopic Endonasal Transodontoid Approach for Degenerative Pseudotumor of the Craniocervical Junction

1   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
,
Ezequiel Goldschmidt*
2   Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
,
Michael M. McDowell
2   Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
,
Eric W. Wang
3   Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
,
Carl H. Snyderman
3   Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
,
Paul A. Gardner
2   Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

30 March 2019

25 August 2019

Publication Date:
04 November 2019 (online)

Abstract

Ventral masses of the craniocervical junction threaten the medulla and upper spinal cord leading to lower cranial nerve dysfunction and myelopathy. Traditional transoral and newer endonasal approaches can access ventral pathology in this region, though both remain challenging due to the competing goals of achieving sufficient decompression, yet mitigating risk to nearby critical neurovascular structures. Transoral approaches have traditionally been avoided for degenerative pseudotumor which generally slowly regresses following posterior fixation. Here, we present two cases of patients with significant retroodontoid degenerative pseudotumor and pannus causing dysphagia and myelopathy. The first patient was found with a large broad pannus requiring a wide decompression extending from lower clivus to inferior aspect of the C1 arch and odontoid process. The second patient had a more focal mass effect due to pannus and synovial cyst at the level of the inferior half of C1 and midodontoid. Both patients underwent an endoscopic endonasal transodontoid approach for immediate decompression followed by a posterior C1–C2 fusion. In these surgical videos, we highlight anatomic considerations in this critical area, demonstrate nuances of technique, and outline strategies to avoid complications and maximize exposure.

The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/19I-GQYGIr4.

* Co-first authors.