Anterior approach for dumbbell type cervical neurinoma

A one-stage anterior approach was performed in four patients for total removal of dumbbell type neurinoma at the cervical level. In each case, the neurinoma compressed the spinal cord in the cervical canal, developed anteriorly through the intervertebral foramen, and compressed the vertebral artery. A conventional cervical anterior approach at the tumor site was performed, followed by confirmation of the tumor located outside the spinal canal. After identification of the vertebral artery, corpectomy was carried out and the extradural component of the tumor was resected. In cases with a portion of the tumor located also within the dura mater, the dura mater was opened for removal of the intradural tumor. We found the anterior approach to be effective for the total removal of some kinds of cervical dumbbell type neurinomas.