Resection of a Lower Clival Meningioma via Posterolateral Approach: Two-Dimensional Operative Video

Objectives  This study aimed to demonstrate resection of a craniovertebral junction (CVJ) meningioma via the posterolateral approach. Design  The study is designed with a two-dimensional operative video. Setting  This study is conducted at department of neurosurgery in a university hospital. Participants  A 50-year-old woman who presented with lower cranial nerve findings due to a left-sided lower clival meningioma ( Fig. 1 ). Main Outcome Measures  Microsurgical resection of the meningioma and preservation of the neurovascular structures. Results  The patient was placed in park-bench position and a left-sided retrosigmoid suboccipital craniotomy, followed by C1 hemilaminectomy and unroofing the lip of the foramen magnum, was performed. The dural incision extended from the suboccipital region down to the posterior arch of C2 ( Fig. 2 ). The arachnoid overlying the tumor was incised, revealing the course of the cranial nerve (CN) XI on the dorsolateral aspect of the tumor. The left vertebral artery (VA) was encased by the tumor which was originating from the dura below the jugular foramen. The mass was resected in a piecemeal fashion eventually. At the end of the procedure, all relevant cranial nerves and adjacent vascular structures were intact. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed total resection and the patient was discharged home on postoperative day 3 safely. Conclusions  Microsurgical resection of the lesions of the CVJ are challenging as this transition zone between the cranium and upper cervical spine has a complex anatomy. Since adequate exposure of the extradural and intradural segments of the VA can be obtained by the posterolateral approach, this approach can be preferred in cases with tumors anterior to the VA or when the artery is encased by the tumor. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/d3u5Qrc-zlM .