title: The transclival endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for prepontine neuroenteric cysts: report of two cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The transclival endoscopic endonasal approach was used to completely remove a prepontine neuroenteric cyst in two different patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Full clinical improvement without postoperative complication was achieved in both cases. The postoperative hospital stay was limited to 2 and 3 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In comparison to posterolateral skull base approaches, the transclival endoscopic endonasal approach allows direct access to the prepontine cistern without unnecessary manipulation of neurovascular structures at the cerebellopontine angle. In contrast to transoral surgery, patients may have decreased risk of infection and can be fed orally immediately without the risks of palatal and oropharyngeal dehiscence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuronavigation technology, strict adherence to microsurgical principles, and significant endoneurosurgical experience are strongly recommended when approaching these challenging lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Prevedello
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Miranda
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Ricky
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Madhok
authors.forename: Dimitri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sigounas
authors.forename: Carl H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Snyderman
authors.forename: Ricardo L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Carrau
authors.forename: Amin B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kassam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011149:Pons / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome