Anterior approach to cervical intramedullary pilocytic astrocytoma. Case report

Although there has been considerable experience with anterior approaches to ventral intradural, extramedullary, and pial-based spinal lesions, there is no information in the literature regarding the safety and feasibility of the resection of an intramedullary tumor via an anterior approach. The authors report on the gross-total resection of an intramedullary cervical pilocytic astrocytoma via a C-7 corpectomy and anterior myelotomy. The surgery proceeded without complication, and postoperatively the patient maintained the preoperative deficit of mild unilateral hand weakness but had no sensory deficits. Follow-up MR imaging at 6 months showed gross-total macroscopic resection. Selected intramedullary tumors can be safely removed via an anterior approach. This approach avoids the typical sensory dysfunction associated with posterior midline myelotomy.