title: Transnasal endoscopic removal of malformation of the odontoid process in a patient with type I Arnold-Chiari malformation: a case report.
abstract: The endoscopic endonasal approach is emerging as a feasible alternative to the trans-oral route for the resection of the odontoid process, when the latter produces a compression of the brainstem and cervicomedullary junction. This type of approach has some advantages, such as excellent pre-vertebral exposure of the cranio-vertebral junction in patients with small oral cavities and the possibility to avoid the use of mouth retractors. A typical case of a 24-year-old male patient with a previous diagnosis of type I Arnold-Chiari Malformation, suffering from a posterior dislocation of the odontoid process causing severe anterior compression of the brainstem, is presented to stress the potential of this technique. Trans-nasal endoscopic removal of the odontoid process was performed and resolution of the ventral compression of the brainstem was achieved. This report demonstrates that in selected cases, an endoscopic endonasal approach should now be considered an excellent alternative to the traditional trans-oral approach.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Modena.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Grammatica
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Bonali
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Ruscitti
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Marchioni
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Pinna
authors: E M
authors: EM
authors: Cunsolo
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Presutti
mesh_terms: D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000150:complications*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult