J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1993 Nov;22(11):1220-1227.

Surgical Approaches for Tumors Around Foramen Magnum and Craniocervical Junction

• Chang UK
• Lee SH
• Chung YS
• Kim DG
• Jung HW
• Kim HJ
• Choi KS
• Han DH

Abstract

The authors treated 26 cases of extramedullary tumors around foramen magnum and craniocervical junction by various surgical approaches between 1982 and February 1993. They are 12 meningiomas, 9 neurinomas, 3 chordomas, 1 teratoma and 1 capillary lymphangioma. Among them, 7 cases are located at anterior portion of foramen magnum, 6 cases at anterolateral portion, 2 cases at lateral portion, 7 cases at posterolateral portion, and 4 cases are posteriorly located. These tumors were attacked via various surgical approaches. 19 cases were treated by conventional suboccipital approach, 5 cases by far lateral suboccipital approach and 2 cases of chordoma by transoral approach which was combined with far lateral suboccipital approach. So, 19 cases of tumors were removed completely, but 7 cases were subtotally removed. There was 1 case of operative mortality and in 2 cases of meningioma there was permanent lower cranial nerve palsy. Pyogenic meningitis due to CSF leakage developed in 2 cases of chordoma which were treated by transoral approach.

Keyword

Foramen magnum tumor; Surgical approach; Suboccipital approach; Far lateral suboccipital approach

MeSH Terms

Capillaries
Chordoma
Cranial Nerve Diseases
Foramen Magnum*
Lymphangioma
Meningioma
Meningitis
Mortality
Neurilemmoma
Teratoma