[An operated case of foramen magnum neurinoma (author's transl)]

A 36-year-old male with craniospinal type of foramen magnum neurinoma removed totally was reported. Foramen magnum neurinoma shows various clinical symptoms called foramen magnum syndrome but none of them is specific. Therefore almost all the cases in the literature have been misdiagnosed as degenerative or demyelinating diseases. The best way for correct diagnosis is to suspect the existence of the tumor. Conventional suboccipital craniectomy has been adopted to remove the tumors. But craniospinal type of this tumor usually develops in the anterior part of the foramen magnum. Therefore we approached to the tumor from aside in the lateral position. In this approach, we can avoid tissue damage of cerebellum and medulla due to retraction and can reach near the midportion of the posterior fossa. The importance of checking respiration during surgery is also emphasized, because surgical intervention is carried out around the medulla oblongata.