title: Meningiomas of the anterior portion of the craniovertebral junction: immediate and late outcome following surgical removal using a partial transcondylar approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The partial transcondylar approach (PTA) is an alternative to the suboccipital approach in the surgical treatment of meningiomas of the anterior portion of the craniovertebral junction (APCVJ). The purpose of this study is to present our results of treatment of these meningiomas using PTA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients (11 women, 3 men) with meningioma of the APCVJ were included in the study. Neurological status of the patients was assessed before and after surgery as well as at the conclusion of the treatment. The approximate volume of the operated tumour, its relation to large blood vessels, cranial nerves and brainstem, along with its consistency and vascularisation were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The symptom duration ranged from 1 to 36 months (median: 11 months). In 79% of patients, motor deficits of the extremities were predominant symptoms. Less frequent symptoms included headache, cervical pain and sensory deficits of cervical nerves C2 to C5. Approximate volume of the tumours ranged from 2.5 mL to 22.1 mL (mean: 11.7 mL). Gross total or subtotal resection was achieved in 86% of patients. The postoperative performance status improved in 57%, did not change in 36% and deteriorated in 7% of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PTA is a useful technique for removal of meningiomas expanding intradurally of the APCVJ without significant compression of the medulla. The results of treatment were good in most patients.
authors: Katedra i Oddział Kliniczny Neurochirurgii, Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny, Plac Medyków 1, 41-200 Sosnowiec. jladzinska@polsoft.pl
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Ladziński
authors: Henryk
authors: H
authors: Majchrzak
authors: Wojciech
authors: W
authors: Kaspera
authors: Mariusz
authors: M
authors: Maliszewski
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Majchrzak
authors: Michał
authors: M
authors: Tymowski
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Adamczyk
mesh_terms: D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011044:Poland; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000601:surgery