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Skull Base 2010; 20(6): 435-442
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1265823
CASE REPORT

© Thieme Medical Publishers

Microsurgical Excision of the Craniocervical Neurenteric Cysts by the Far-Lateral Transcondylar Approach: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Wei Shi1 [*] , Da-Ming Cui2 [*] , Jin-Long Shi1 , Zhi-Kai Gu1 , Shao-Qing Ju1 , Jian Chen1
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Surgical Research Center, Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Nantong, China
  • 2Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
09 September 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Neurenteric cysts in the anterior craniocervical junction (CCJ) region can be found in extremely rare cases. We report one case with craniocervical neurenteric cyst that was excised by the far-lateral transcondylar (FLT) approach. A 43-year-old man presented with a history of recurrent episodes of mild neck pain and dysesthesia in his bilateral hands of 2 years' duration with rapid deterioration 3 weeks prior to admission. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the CCJ region revealed a well-defined intradural cystic lesion located ventral from the pontomedullary junction to C1 vertebra with medulla and C1 cord compression. This patient underwent total excision of the lesion via the FLT approach without any postoperative neurological deficits, and the histopathologic diagnosis was neurenteric cyst. Follow-up MRI has revealed no evidence of recurrence. The clinical features, imaging studies, and surgical approach options involved in resecting craniocervical neurenteric cysts are discussed, along with a review of the literature.

KEYWORDS

Neurenteric cyst - microsurgery - far-lateral transcondylar approach - craniocervical junction

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1 These two authors contributed equally to this work

Jian ChenM.D. 

Department of Neurosurgery, Xisi Road 20#

Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China 226001

Email: sw740104@hotmail.com