Romanian Neurosurgery (Mar 2024)
Neurofibroma of C2 root
Abstract
Background: Intra and extradural neurofibromas of C2 root is a challenging pathology, usually with indolent evolution, that is why the onset symptoms are neurologic deficit just like upper cervical myelopathy symptoms and explains the late diagnosis of giant tumours with severe spinal cord compression with involvement and distortion of great vessels anatomy. These facts make surgeries more difficult. The follow-up of this type of surgery must be very close because CSF fistula can often occur. Case description: The present article reports a series of three cases of neurofibromas, two of them are giant dumbbell-shaped C2 neurofibromas and the third one is a case of neurofibromatosis type 1 of C2 roots bilaterally, C3 root unilateral with unusual postoperative course. Dural reconstruction was necessary in all cases. Conclusions: The patients in this series were very symptomatic with good recovery. The surgical procedures were challenging, total tumour removal was possible, and the reconstruction of dural defects was needed in all cases. In the case of NF1, the postoperative period was practically just the follow-up of complications and addressing them. This fact stresses the importance of meticulous preoperative planning and close follow-up. Postoperative quality of life was better than preoperative in all the cases. The purpose of the surgical treatment is the decompression of the spinal cord, tumour removal and prophylaxis of CSF fistula by closing the dural defects. Overall, the surgical C2 root neurofibromas resection is a safe procedure and is associated with good clinical outcomes.
