title: Resection of a retropharyngeal craniovertebral junction chordoma through a posterior cervical approach.
abstract: METHODS
  This illustrative case report is designed to provide technical data regarding the use of a posterior approach to resect a retropharyngeal chordoma involving the craniovertebral junction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this report is to emphasize the utility of the posterior approach when treating anterior tumors of the craniovertebral junction.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Traditionally, a transoral transpharyngeal or extended anterior approach was used to resect anterior tumors of the craniovertebral junction. These approaches have several limitations unique to these exposures, limitations not applicable to a posterior midline cervical approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case report is provided that illustrates the use of a posterior cervical approach used to resect a retropharyngeal craniovertebral junction chordoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gross total resection of a retropharyngeal chordoma was achieved using a posterior cervical approach. Although local tumor recurrence did occur, this was resected and adjuvant radiotherapy prescribed. This resulted in an ongoing 4-year recurrence free survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The posterior cervical midline exposure could be used to dissect and remove anterior retropharyngeal tumors, with minimal morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, University of Saskatchewan, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. greg.mcloughlin@shaw.ca
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: McLoughlin
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sciubba
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Suk
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bydon
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Witham
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wolinsky
authors.forename: Ziya L
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Gokaslan
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002817:Chordoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome