C2 lamina reconstruction using locking miniplate for the intradural tumor of the craniocervical junction (two case reports).
OBJECTIVE
To describe a technique for C2 lamina reconstruction using locking miniplates for the extirpation of spinal tumors in the craniocervical junction. Many spinal surgery cases in which lamina reconstructions have been performed using non-locking miniplates have been reported. However, there is only one report of the use of locking miniplates for lamina reconstruction in spinal tumor cases.


METHODS
We performed C2 lamina reconstructions using locking miniplates in a patient with a spinal tumor and another with a cystic lesion. The clinical and radiologic features of both cases are reported, and the surgical technique is described.


RESULTS
A 62-year-old female and a 30-year-old male were diagnosed with meningioma and a neurenteric cyst, respectively, in the craniocervical junction. Extirpation of these lesions was performed in combination with C2 lamina reconstruction and reattachment of the paraspinous muscle to the C2 spinous process. A follow-up examination at 1 year postoperatively demonstrated no significant change in the sagittal alignment of the cervical spine and a good postoperative course in both cases. Bony fusion was detected in both cases, and no implant failure occurred in either case.


CONCLUSIONS
This procedure results in rigid fixation of the reimplanted C2 lamina and helps to restore the paraspinous muscles. For these reasons, it appears to be a useful surgical procedure for spinal tumors requiring C2 laminectomy and does not cause postoperative kyphosis of the cervical spine.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kagawa Rosai Hospital, 3-3-1 Joto-cho, Marugame, Kagawa, 763-8502, Japan. i9ma9n@yahoo.co.jp
Hisanori
H
Ikuma
Kensuke
K
Shinohara
Takashi
T
Maehara
Yoshiki
Y
Yokoyama
Masato
M
Tanaka
D000328:Adult; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome