[Minimally invasive surgery for invaginated CII odontoid process]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Spinal Surgery

Context:

• Anterior brainstem compression due to an invaginated odontoid process necessitates surgical intervention.
• Traditional transoral microsurgical odontoidectomy carries risks and limitations.
• Advancements in endoscopic technology offer alternative surgical approaches.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic transnasal odontoidectomy for brainstem decompression.
• To compare the efficacy of the endoscopic transnasal approach with the transoral route.

Summary:

• Ten patients with anterior brainstem compression from an invaginated odontoid process underwent endoscopic transnasal odontoidectomy.
• Successful brainstem decompression was achieved in all treated patients.
• The study highlights the growing adoption of the endoscopic transnasal approach.

Impact:

• Endoscopic transnasal odontoidectomy provides a viable and effective alternative for brainstem decompression.
• This technique may offer advantages in terms of surgical field optimization and patient recovery.
• Further research into surgical access selection and technique refinement is ongoing.