Endoscopic Endonasal Odontoidectomy Preserving Atlantoaxial Stability: a Pediatric Case

Abstract

Objectives  We illustrate endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy for the Chiari-I malformation respecting craniovertebral junction (CVJ) stability.

Design  Case report of a 12-year-old girl affected by the Chiari-I malformation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed tonsillar herniation, basilar invagination, and dental retroversion, causing angulation and compression of the bulbomedullary junction. Patient underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) with reduction of ventricular size and resolution of gait disturbances, but she complained the Valsalva-induced headaches, hiccup, and dysesthesias in the lower limbs. Endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy was chosen to decompress the cervicomedullary junction.

Setting  The research was conducted at University Hospital “Ospedale di Circolo,” Department of Neurosurgery at Varese in Italy.

Participants  Patients were from neurosurgical and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) skull base team.

Main Outcome Measures  A bilateral paraseptal approach was performed, using a four-hand technique. After resection of posterior edge of the nasal septum, the choana is entered and a rhinopharynx muscle–mucosal flap is dissected subperiosteal and transposed in oral cavity. The CVJ is exposed and, using neuronavigation and neuromonitoring, odontoidectomy is fulfilled until dura is reached, preserving the anterior arch of C1. Reconstruction is obtained suturing the flap previously harvested.

Results  Postoperative course was unremarkable and the patient experienced improvement of symptoms. Postoperative MRI documented the appearance of tight cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) film anterior to bulbomedullary junction and in retrotonsillar spaces, opening of the bulbomedullary angle, and slight tonsils reduction. No CVJ instability was occurred with any need of posterior fixation.

Conclusion  Endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy is a feasible approach for CVJ malformation. In this case, bulbar decompression was achieved preserving CVJ stability and avoiding posterior fixation.

The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/VIobocHfCuc .

Fig. 1.

Pre- and postoperative MRI and CT images. CT, computed tomography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.

Fig. 2.

Intraoperative images of the surgical field before and after the odontoidectomy. CVJ, craniovertebral junction.

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