Retro-odontoid Synovial Cyst Resected Via an Anterolateral Approach Without Fusion

Overview

Journal Eur Spine J

Specialty Orthopedics

Date 2014 Sep 13

PMID 25212453

Citations 9

Authors

Yu-Ichiro Ohnishi

Koichi Iwatsuki

Shigenori Taketsuna

Koshi Ninomiya

Toshiki Yoshimine

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Retro-odontoid synovial cysts are rare and attributable to degenerative changes in the atlantoaxial joints. An anterolateral approach facilitates access to lesions located anterior to the craniocervical junction without harming the atlantoaxial joints, and can also treat small lesions in the ventral mid-portion of the craniocervical junction without compression of spinal cord.

Methods: We present herein the case of a 70-year-old man with a retro-odontoid synovial cyst. A ventral midsection mass was present at the level of the atlantoaxial joint. The compressed anterior medulla led to neurological deficits. Slight atlantoaxial instability was radiologically present. An intradural cyst resection without fusion was performed via the anterolateral approach. The diagnosis of a synovial cyst was histologically confirmed.

Results: The patient was followed up for 3 years and exhibited improvements in the neurological deficits. There were no recurrence and postoperative deterioration of atlantoaxial instability.

Conclusions: The anterolateral approach for the retro-odontoid synovial cyst had little effect on C1-2 instability and yielded neurological improvements.

Citing Articles

Clinical and MR Predictors of Retro-Odontoid Pseudotumor Regression Following Posterior Fixation in Patients with Atlantoaxial Instability.

Kim J, Kim Y, Lee E, Lee J J Korean Soc Radiol. 2024; 85(4):754-768.

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Os odontoideum associated with a retro-odontoid cyst treated with posterior C1-C3 fixation: A case report and literature review.

Bao B, Yan H, Tang J Front Surg. 2023; 9:1006167.

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Retro-Odontoid Intradural Synovial Cyst Decompression via Endoscopic-Assisted Far-Lateral Approach C1-C2 Hemilaminectomy Without Fusion: The Use of Intracranial Denticulate Ligament as Intraoperative Landmark.

Fana M, Deamont C, Medani K, Manjila R, Kandregula S, Labarge Iii D Cureus. 2022; 14(1):e21715.

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Surgical resection of intradural extramedullary tumors in the atlantoaxial spine a posterior approach.

Meng D, Wang J, Yang K, Chen W, Pan C, Jiang H World J Clin Cases. 2022; 10(1):62-70.

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Synovial Cyst of the Atlantoaxial Joint Removed through a Posterior Intradural Approach.

Toyoshima A, Sakurai K, Sasaki N, Fukuda M, Ueda S, Houshimaru M Case Rep Orthop. 2021; 2021:9941503.

PMID: 34188967 PMC: 8195662. DOI: 10.1155/2021/9941503.

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