Francesco Zenga1, Paolo Pacca2, Valentina Tardivo1, Valentina Pennacchietti1, Diego Garbossa1, Giancarlo Pecorari3, Alessandro Ducati1. 1. Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Torino, Cherasco, Italy. 2. Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Torino, Cherasco, Italy. Electronic address: paolopacca84@gmail.com. 3. 1st ENT Division, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, Genova, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Surgical anterior decompression represents the treatment of choice for symptomatic irreducible ventral craniovertebral junction (CVJ) compression. With the refinement of the endoscopic techniques, the endonasal route has been proposed as alternative to the classic transoral approach to CVJ. Some reports assess the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic endonasal approaches to CVJ pathologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2011 to February 2014, 12 patients with symptomatic nonreducible ventral spinal cord compression underwent purely 3-dimensional endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy in our department. The surgical technique is described. RESULTS: A good brainstem-medullary decompression was achieved in all patients. In 10 of 12 patients the endotracheal tube was removed just after the procedure with good recovery of the respiratory function. We report no cases of velopharyngeal insufficiency. In 5 of 12 patients the preservation of C1 anterior was achieved, without the need for posterior cervical fixation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy has proven to be safe and effective in selected patients. Soft and hard palate preservation dramatically reduces the risk of postoperative velopharyngeal insufficiency. Moreover, the endonasal endoscopic approach provides a direct access to the dens. Three-dimensional high-definition endoscope, laser, and ultrasound bony curettes revealed to be useful tools for this approach that, however, remains a demanding one.
BACKGROUND: Surgical anterior decompression represents the treatment of choice for symptomatic irreducible ventral craniovertebral junction (CVJ) compression. With the refinement of the endoscopic techniques, the endonasal route has been proposed as alternative to the classic transoral approach to CVJ. Some reports assess the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic endonasal approaches to CVJ pathologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2011 to February 2014, 12 patients with symptomatic nonreducible ventral spinal cord compression underwent purely 3-dimensional endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy in our department. The surgical technique is described. RESULTS: A good brainstem-medullary decompression was achieved in all patients. In 10 of 12 patients the endotracheal tube was removed just after the procedure with good recovery of the respiratory function. We report no cases of velopharyngeal insufficiency. In 5 of 12 patients the preservation of C1 anterior was achieved, without the need for posterior cervical fixation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy has proven to be safe and effective in selected patients. Soft and hard palate preservation dramatically reduces the risk of postoperative velopharyngeal insufficiency. Moreover, the endonasal endoscopic approach provides a direct access to the dens. Three-dimensional high-definition endoscope, laser, and ultrasound bony curettes revealed to be useful tools for this approach that, however, remains a demanding one.
Authors: Nathan T Zwagerman; Georgios Zenonos; Stefan Lieber; Wei-Hsin Wang; Eric W Wang; Juan C Fernandez-Miranda; Carl H Snyderman; Paul A Gardner Journal: J Neurooncol Date: 2016-10-20 Impact factor: 4.130
Authors: Francesco Belotti; Francesco Tengattini; Davide Mattavelli; Marco Ferrari; Antonio Fiorentino; Silvia Agnelli; Alberto Schreiber; Piero Nicolai; Marco Maria Fontanella; Francesco Doglietto Journal: Neurosurg Rev Date: 2020-02-14 Impact factor: 3.042