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A modified “far-lateral” approach for safe resection of retroodontoid dural cysts

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Abstract

Cystic mass lesions at the ventral craniocervical junction have been described only rarely in the past, however, they have received more attention with improved imaging modalities in recent years. These lesions have been approached by various operative procedures. A modified “far-lateral” approach combined with a C1 hemilaminectomy without fusion was used to safely remove the cyst and decompress the cervical medulla in a 72-year-old woman with cervicooccipital pain and paresthesia in both arms. Following surgery, complete resolution of symptoms was achieved, and no recurrence at 1 year follow-up was detected. A modified “far-lateral” approach offers several advantages when compared with other operation techniques.

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None of the authors has any potential conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University, Medical School Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany

    Götz Lütjens & Joachim K. Krauss

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Stephanshorn Hospital, Brauerstrasse 95, 9016, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    Christian B. Bärlocher

Authors
  1. Götz Lütjens
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  2. Christian B. Bärlocher
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  3. Joachim K. Krauss
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Correspondence to Joachim K. Krauss.

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Lütjens, G., Bärlocher, C.B. & Krauss, J.K. A modified “far-lateral” approach for safe resection of retroodontoid dural cysts. Eur Spine J 20 (Suppl 2), 262–265 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-010-1665-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-010-1665-6

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