Endoscopic-Assisted C2 Transverse Process Mass Excision.

BACKGROUND AND

INTRODUCTION

C2 transverse process exostoses are rare lesions. Due to critical structures surrounding them, their excision is challenging. There are sparse reports of anterior retropharyngeal approach (ARPA) for high-cervical transverse process mass and none for endoscopic ARPA approach.

OBJECTIVE

A step-by-step technical report with its video is presented.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A 14-year-old girl presented with chronic right-sided neck pain. The computed tomography scan revealed a 6.5 cm3 mass in the right transverse process extending into the lateral mass of the C2 vertebra. The mass was anterior and in direct contact with the vertebral artery. She underwent a minimally invasive endoscopic ARPA.

RESULTS

The mass could be excised along with its cartilaginous cap without any complications. The patient's symptoms resolved completely. The biopsy came out as osteochondroma.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic ARPA is a minimally invasive option for high-cervical tumors and was found safe and effective for C2 transverse process osteochondroma.