title: Cervical chordoma managed with multidisciplinary surgical approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper describes the interdisciplinary management of a 62-year-old man who presented with a cervical chordoma of C2/3. This is a rare neoplasm of the axial skeleton which is usually treated surgically. This is technically challenging due to the surrounding anatomy and requirement for wide exposure. A number of surgical approaches have been described to access the clivus and upper cervical spine.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case involved both the Orthopaedic and Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery departments. Trotter's surgical technique was used to gain access for excision of the cervical chordoma and there was collaboration with an Orthopaedic Biotechnology Company in which a bio-model of the spine was created and a corpectomy cage specific to the patient developed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This approach allowed excellent visualisation of the tumour and the unique cage and plate achieved immediate stability and long term fusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An interdisciplinary approach should be used in the management of upper cervical chordomas to facilitate tumour resection and reduce the potential for recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Farhan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahsan
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inglis
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: Grahame S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Inglis
mesh_terms: D057005:Bioengineering; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D002817:Chordoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009985:Orthopedics; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010036:Otolaryngology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*