J Gabrillargues1, J L Michel. 1. Service de Radiologie A, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, hôpital Gabriel Montpied, rue Montalembert, BP 69, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand Cedex 1.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the value of a direct transoral approach to C2 for interventional procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transoral approach to C2 was used in 4 patients (9-64 year old) with lytic lesion of the C2 vertebra and/or base of the odontoid over a 10 year period. Three patients underwent biopsy and 1 patient underwent vertebroplasty using biplane fluoroscopy. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia using a 13G needle directly introduced in the C2 vertebra through the posterior pharyngeal wall. RESULTS: None of the patients reported ill-effects from the procedure. Needle placement was satisfactory in all patients, without technical difficulty. No technical complication was noted. Specifically, no infectious complication occurred. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a direct transoral approach to C2 is safe for biopsy or vertebroplasty.
PURPOSE: To assess the value of a direct transoral approach to C2 for interventional procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transoral approach to C2 was used in 4 patients (9-64 year old) with lytic lesion of the C2 vertebra and/or base of the odontoid over a 10 year period. Three patients underwent biopsy and 1 patient underwent vertebroplasty using biplane fluoroscopy. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia using a 13G needle directly introduced in the C2 vertebra through the posterior pharyngeal wall. RESULTS: None of the patients reported ill-effects from the procedure. Needle placement was satisfactory in all patients, without technical difficulty. No technical complication was noted. Specifically, no infectious complication occurred. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a direct transoral approach to C2 is safe for biopsy or vertebroplasty.