Surgical Management of Extradural Tumors at the Craniovertebral Junction - Insights from a Tertiary Care Center.

BACKGROUND: Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) tumors are challenging due to their unique anatomical location. This study aimed to evaluate the complexities in dealing with such precarious CVJ extradural lesions over the decade. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients of extradural CVJ tumors operated between 2009 and 2018 were included. The demographic details, neurological status, surgical approach, extent of resection, type of fixation, complications, and outcome at final follow-up were recorded for each patient. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39.5 ± 20 years. Most (17/27) of the patients had involvement of a single level. Clivus was the most common (9/17) involved region followed by atlas (7/17) vertebrae. Majority of the patients (13/27) were operated through the posterior-only approach. About 15 patients (55.5%) had instability or extensive lesions that necessitated posterior fixation. None of the patients underwent anterior fixation. Gross and near total excision were achieved in 10 patients (37%) and 3 patients (11%) respectively while 14 patients underwent subtotal excision of tumor. On histopathological analysis, clival chordoma (8/27) was found to be the most common pathology followed by giant cell tumor (6/27), plasmacytoma (4/27), and multiple myeloma (2/27). Most patients (13 out of 27) had the same neurological status after the surgery. Six patients (22%) improved post-operatively with decreased weakness and spasticity. Thirteen (48%) patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study provides valuable insights into managing extradural CVJ tumors and highlights the importance of individualized approaches for optimal outcome.

Case of cervicodorsal tuberculosis involving seven contiguous vertebrae in a young child.

We present a rare case of a male child in middle childhood who presented to the emergency department with neck pain, neck deformity, low-grade fever, breathing difficulty and swallowing difficulty. The patient had a significant history of weight loss and loss of appetite. On examination, neurological deficits were observed, including mildly increased tone in bilateral lower limbs, reduced power in both lower limbs, exaggerated knee and ankle jerks, and upgoing plantar reflexes. Radiographs and MRI revealed a kyphotic deformity with apex at the T1 vertebra, lytic lesions in seven contiguous vertebrae and a large prevertebral abscess extending from C2 to T5. The patient underwent a posterior-only surgical approach with decompression, abscess drainage and stabilisation, resulting in successful cord decompression and correction of the kyphotic deformity. At 18 months follow-up, the patient is doing well with improvement to normal neurology and full return of a child to normal activities.

Function-preserving surgery in sporadic desmoid-type fibromatosis of brachial plexus.

Desmoid tumours of the brachial plexus are rare locally infiltrative aggressive, monoclonal, fibroblastic proliferations characterized by a variable and often unpredictable clinical course. Only 21 patients have been reported in the literature. We add another one, and report function-preserving surgery in a 34-year-old man with a desmoid tumour of the brachial plexus. The patient presented with paraesthesia and gradually progressive distal muscle weakness in the left upper limb. Electrodiagnostic studies revealed preganglionic changes in segments C8-D1. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed an enhancing mass with irregular margins in the left paravertebral region encasing the subclavian artery, pre- and post-ganglionic C6-D1 nerve roots and trunks of the brachial plexus. Using an anterior transclavicular approach the tumour was decompressed, which led to a major improvement in paraesthesia and partial motor recovery. He was doing well at 6 months of follow-up. Histopathological examination showed findings consistent with desmoid tumour. A tailored multidisciplinary surgical approach, with the aim to preserve function over radiological clearance, is an acceptable treatment strategy in preserving patient's quality of life for such infiltrating desmoid tumours encasing the brachial plexus. Following surgery, observation and close radiological surveillance offer an optimal strategy without jeopardizing the quality of life.