title: Endoscopic transoral surgery for craniovertebral junction anomalies. Technical note.
abstract: Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies continue to be challenging for neurosurgeons because of the complex anatomy of this region. To date, microsurgical decompression via a transoral route is the standard treatment for anteriorly located compressive lesions of the cervicomedullary junction (CMJ). The results obtained by minimizing surgical trauma are fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and reduced overall psychological burden. Endoscopic surgery is becoming a leading modality in minimally invasive neurosurgical treatment. The authors performed surgery in 11 patients with irreducible osseous dislocations resulting from CVJ abnormality during a 2-year period. Anterior CMJ decompression was achieved in all patients by performing neuroendoscopically controlled transoral excision of bone and soft tissues. The surgical technique and results will be discussed. The use of the endoscope offers several advantages in cases requiring a transoral approach to the lower clivus and atlantoaxial region. The use of minimally invasive endoscopic techniques has the potential to reduce the need for a wider cranial base opening and to decrease postoperative complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India. mazharhusain@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mazhar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: Manu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rastogi
authors.forename: Bal Krishna
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Ojha
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.forename: Deepak K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Jha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000601:surgery; D010985:Platybasia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome