[Interventional radiology: transoral approach to C2].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of a direct transoral approach to C2 for interventional procedures.


METHODS
A transoral approach to C2 was used in 4 patients (9-64 year old) with lytic lesion of the C2 vertebra and/or base of the odontoid over a 10 year period. Three patients underwent biopsy and 1 patient underwent vertebroplasty using biplane fluoroscopy. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia using a 13G needle directly introduced in the C2 vertebra through the posterior pharyngeal wall.


RESULTS
None of the patients reported ill-effects from the procedure. Needle placement was satisfactory in all patients, without technical difficulty. No technical complication was noted. Specifically, no infectious complication occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that a direct transoral approach to C2 is safe for biopsy or vertebroplasty.
Gabrillargues
J
J
Service de Radiologie A, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, hôpital Gabriel Montpied, rue Montalembert, BP 69, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand Cedex 1.
Michel
J L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000556:secondary; D002648:Child; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009339:Needles; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010000:Osteitis / Q000473:pathology; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D054854:Vertebroplasty / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods