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Transcondylar approach for resection of lateral medullary cavernous malformation

  • How I Do it - Neurosurgical Techniques
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Abstract

Background

Resection of a medullary cavernous malformation requires aggressive exposure, but there is controversy on how much occipital condyle can be safely removed during the transcondylar approach.

Method

We describe and demonstrate the use of the transcondylar approach to a medullary cavernous malformation, with emphasis on adequate surgical exposure while preserving the atlanto-occipital joint.

Conclusions

Despite conservative handling of the occipital condyle, craniocervical stability may vary in patients after transcondylar surgery. A “dynamic” computer tomography, with views of the atlanto-occipital joint at each end-rotational extreme, may be the best postoperative assessment tool to evaluate the stability of the craniocervical junction.

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Abbreviations

CN IX/X:

Glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves

CN XI:

Spinal accessory nerve

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC, 20038, USA

    Fadi Sweiss & Walter C. Jean

Authors
  1. Fadi Sweiss
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  2. Walter C. Jean
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Walter C. Jean.

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The patient has consented to submission of this “How I Do It” to Acta Neurochirurgica.

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Sweiss, F., Jean, W.C. Transcondylar approach for resection of lateral medullary cavernous malformation. Acta Neurochir 160, 291–294 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-017-3372-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-017-3372-0

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