title: Extreme lateral transcondylar approach for resection of ventrally based meningioma of the craniovertebral junction and upper cervical spine.
abstract: Ventrally based meningiomas at the craniovertebral junction can be challenging tumors to remove because of their deep location anterior to the lower brainstem and upper cervical spinal cord, and close association with complex neurovascular structures. The extreme lateral transcondylar approach provides excellent access and exposure to anterior and anterolateral intradural tumors involving the region of the craniovertebral junction, including the lower third of the clivus, the foramen magnum, and the upper cervical spine. This approach allows safe access for removal of these difficult tumors without any neural retraction. In this operative video manuscript, the author demonstrates an illustrative step-by-step technique for microsurgical resection of a ventrally based meningioma extending from the foramen magnum to C-2 using the extreme lateral transcondylar approach. The operative technique and surgical nuances, including the surgical approach, intradural tumor removal, and cranial base reconstruction, are illustrated in this video atlas. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/4uvPpEtEShU .
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurological Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Neurological Institute of New Jersey, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey.
authors.forename: James K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Liu
keywords: craniovertebral junction; extreme lateral transcondylar approach; meningioma; microsurgical; resection; video