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Published on: September 25, 2009
Cervicomedullary cavernous malformation of the C1 nerve root: illustrative case
Yi Zhang1, Lorenzo Yuan1, Neelan J Marianayagam1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
Background:
Cavernous malformations (CMs) originating from spinal nerve roots are rare but can present with rapidly progressing neurological deficits. Therefore, quick identification and treatment are essential.
Observations:
The authors present the case of a 52-year-old male presenting with headaches and gait disturbance, found to have a CM of the C1 nerve root. The patient underwent successful suboccipital craniectomy and C1 laminectomy, with complete resection of the lesion, preservation of the cervical spinal nerve roots, and symptomatic improvement postoperatively.
Lessons:
This is the first presentation in the literature of a CM originating from the C1 nerve root. The authors show complete resection of the lesion with preservation of the C1 nerve root. Nerve root lesions usually show insidious symptomatic onset. Quick identification and resection are recommended to prevent permanent neurological disability. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE2456.
