[Minimally invasive surgical treatment of extramedullary tumors at the level of craniovertebral junction: experience of the Burdenko Neurosurgical Center].

Objective: To describe own experience of treating patients with extramedullary tumors at the level of craniovertebral junction using minimally invasive surgical approaches.

Material and methods: The study included 29 patients who underwent minimally invasive microsurgical resection of extramedullary tumors at the level of craniovertebral junction. We analyzed the main clinical and surgical parameters.

Results: Gross total resection was achieved in most patients with high degree of safety. Two patients required redo surgery due to CSF leakage and soft tissue cyst. Mean length of hospital-stay was 7 days. VAS score of pain syndrome at discharge was 2 points and 0 points after 3 months. No significant differences in neurophysiological monitoring indicators were observed (p=0.76).

Conclusion: Minimally invasive posterior approaches to extramedullary tumors at the level of craniovertebral junction can significantly reduce surgical trauma with equal extent of resection.