The outcome of surgical treatment for tumors of the craniocervical junction.

OBJECTIVE

The authors report the clinical, radiological, and surgicalfindings ofpatients with craniocervical junction tumors surgically treated in the institution over the last 8 years.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study was performed. Clinical, radiological, and operative data were evaluated, and follow-up information was obtained from outpatient examinations, and telephone interviews.

RESULTS

There were 25 patients consisting of nine chordomas, eight meningiomas, three cysts, two schwannomas, one each of aneurysmal bone cyst, plasmacytoma, and metastasis. Twenty-nine operative procedures were performed, classified as 12 anterior nine posterior-lateral, and eight posterior approaches. Gross total removal was achieved in 17 cases, subtotal removal in six cases, and partial removal in two cases. Re-operation was performed in six cases. Median follow-up time was 31 months. The authors found significant improvement in Karnofsky Performance Scale scores.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate surgical approaches provide successful tumor removal with less surgical morbidities, nevertheless recurrent tumors occasionally occur and so, long-term follow-up is mandatory.