title: Diseases of the odontoid and craniovertebral junction with management by endoscopic approaches.
abstract: Surgical approaches to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) can result in dysfunction of the upper aerodigestive tract. However, few data are available regarding the incidence of complications after such surgery. Evaluation of a CVJ lesion for treatment must establish the biology, transverse and longitudinal extent of the lesion, and the preoperative and postoperative stability of the spine. Endoscopic approaches to the CVJ, which should reduce the expected morbidity of an open transoral approach, have been described recently. This article reviews common pathologies of the CVJ and surgical approaches, and provides an evidence-based analysis of whether endoscopic approaches reduce velopharyngeal insufficiency.
authors: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room M779, San Francisco, CA 94143-0112, USA.
authors: Jau-Ching
authors: JC
authors: Wu
authors: Praveen V
authors: PV
authors: Mummaneni
authors: Ivan H
authors: IH
authors: El-Sayed
mesh_terms: D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000601:surgery