Balslev Muir (smellturnip9)
This bone was removed centrally until a thin cap remained. After removal of the cap, the underlying ligamentous tissue was removed until dural pulsations were appreciated and brainstem decompression achieved. Hemostasis was attained and the mucosal flap mobilized into position. Results Postoperative CT imaging demonstrated resolution of basilar invagination and brainstem decompression ( Fig. 1 ). The patient improved both in arm dexterity and ambulation after surgery and the reconstruction demonstrated appropriate healing on nasal endoscopy 2 months postoperatively. Conclusions This operative video demonstrates nuances in endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy. This case also demonstrates that ventral decompression after long-term cervical fusion can improve myelopathy and that fusion in the setting of bony ventral compression, rather than rheumatoid panus, may not reduce over time with fusion only. The link to the video can be found at https//youtu.be/370FFuBA89Y .Background Odontoidectomy may represent the treatment of choice for symptomatic ventral craniovertebral junction stenosis in selected cases. An endoscopic transnasal approach has been proposed as an alternative to a classic transoral approach. Method We report a case of a patient with a craniovertebral junction stenosis due to the ossification of the posterior ligament. The clinical and radiological records of the patient and a step-by-step description of the surgical technique are presented ( Fig. 1 ). Conclusion Endoscopic transnasal odontoidectomy provides a direct access to the dens and adjacent structures of the anterior upper cervical spine with a less invasive burden on the oropharingeal structures. The link to the video can be found at https//youtu.be/Ofrk1sFTV9I .Objectives The video demonstrates the steps for an endoscopic transnasal approach for resection of the odontoid causing platybasia with basilar invasion. Design The video reviews the clinical presentation, preoperative workup and imaging, patient positioning, technical nuances of the procedure, reconstruction, and clinical outcomes including postoperative imaging. Setting The surgery was performed by a skull base team including otolaryngologists and neurological surgeons at a large regional tertiary care facility. Participants A 59-year-old female with the Chiari I malformation with history of multiple revision cervical spinal surgeries presents with neck pain. Preoperative imaging showed a hypoplastic clivus and platybasia with basilar invasion. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measures consist of safely removing the odontoid with appropriate closure, reversal of the patient symptoms, and prevention of both operative complications and ventral compression of the brainstem. Results The patient's neck pain improved. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications besides anterior rightward nasal septal deviation causing unilateral nasal obstruction. A septoplasty was performed to correct the septal deviation 6 months after the initial procedure. Conclusions The endoscopic transnasal approach to the resection of odontoid is a safe and effective treatment to address basilar invasion and ventral compression of the brainstem. The link to the video can be found at https//youtu.be/m_c3-Vn-l80 .Expanded endonasal endoscopic approaches provide access to the entire central skull base and craiocervical junction. The authors present a case of an 81-year-old man who presented with progressive spastic quadriparesis to the point of being wheel-chair bound. Cervical spine computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated multilevel extensive spondylitic changes with a large pannus at the C1-2 junction, severely compressing the spinal cord ( Figs. 1 and 2 ). Given the significant anterior spinal cord compression and the patient's substantial weakness, the decision was made to perform an endoscopic endonasal anterior cervical decompression and resection of the pan