Surgical approach for synovial cyst of the atlantoaxial joint: a case report and review of the literature

Marbacher, Serge; Lukes, Anton; Vajtai, Istvan; Ozdoba, Christoph (2009). Surgical approach for synovial cyst of the atlantoaxial joint: a case report and review of the literature. Spine, 34(15), E528-33. Hagerstown, Md.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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STUDY DESIGN: Case report and review of the literature. OBJECTIVE: We describe the first case of a synovial cyst arising from pseudarthrosis of a previous dens fracture. The literature is reviewed and etiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic options of atlantoaxial cysts are discussed. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Symptomatic synovial cysts of the atlantoaxial joint are rare. To the authors' knowledge only 24 cases have been reported.A 60-year-old patient presented with bilateral hand numbness, quadrihyperreflexia, and gait deterioration. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine disclosed a cystic mass located at the transverse ligament of dens axis causing bulbomedullary compression. METHODS: Surgery was performed via transoral image guided approach. The ventral atlas arch, dens, transverse ligament, tectorial membrane, and the compressing cyst were removed, followed by a C0-C3 fusion. RESULTS: Two months postsurgery the patient recovered completely from the cervical myelopathy with transient remnant dysparesthesia of the finger tips. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance imaging findings are not specific enough to establish a preoperative diagnosis. Radical resection via image-guided transoral route followed by posterior fusion allows complete resection of the cystic lesion and results in excellent long-term decompression.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Head Organs and Neurology (DKNS) > Clinic of Neurosurgery 04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Pathology 04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine (DRNN) > Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology
UniBE Contributor:	Marbacher, Serge, Vajtai, Istvan, Ozdoba, Christoph
ISSN:	0362-2436
ISBN:	19564758
Publisher:	Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Language:	English
Submitter:	Factscience Import
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 15:08
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:20
PubMed ID:	19564758
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/29625 (FactScience: 155742)