title: Lateral access to paravertebral tumors.
abstract: Traditional transabdominal and retroperitoneal approaches for paravertebral tumors can be associated with injury to the viscera and lumbar plexus. The authors provide a technical description of a known approach with a new application for the resection of paraspinal tumors using both open and minimally invasive transpsoas techniques and report on 2 illustrative cases. In both cases, gross-total resection of the tumor was achieved and the patients experienced resolution of their presenting neurological symptoms, although one of the patients required 2 extra days of hospitalization due to an asymptomatic retroperitoneal hematoma, which was conservatively managed. The authors conclude that the lateral transpsoas approach is a safe approach for paravertebral tumors and may not require an access surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Akwasi Ofori
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Boah
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Noel I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Perin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D018317:Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000601:surgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: EMG = electromyography; SSEP = somatosensory evoked potential; minimally invasive; retroperitoneal; technique; transpsoas; tumor