Microsurgical resection of tumors lateroventral and ventral to the high cervical spinal cord.
BACKGROUND
Since there are a complex anatomic structure and vital function in the high cervical spinal cord, it is difficult to remove the tumors lateroventral and ventral to the high cervical spinal cord. This clinical study was undertaken to analyze surgical approaches, manner of tumor resection and postoperative management.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients underwent microsurgical excision of tumors lateroventral and ventral to the high cervical spinal cord by means of three approaches. The tumors comprised mostly Schwannoma and meningioma (88.24%, 30/34) in this group. Tumor volume varied from 3.0 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.0 cm to 12 cm x 3.0 cm x 2.5 cm. Of the 34 patients, 4 had dumbbell-shaped tumors growing outside the spinal canal and 7 tumors growing into the intracranium.


RESULTS
The tumor was totally removed in 32 patients (94.1%). Follow-up for 7 months to 6.4 years (median 3.6 years) showed a recovery of a normal life or work ability in 30 (83.3%) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Modified operative approaches and microsurgical techniques can raise the rate of total tumor removal and reduce the disability of patients.
Department of Neurosurgery, Lanzhou General Hospital of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China. leipp2003@yahoo.com.cn
Peng
P
Lei
Yi
Y
Wu
Zhi-yun
ZY
Li
Yu
Y
Wang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*