Comparison of the Far Lateral and Extreme Lateral Variants of the Atlanto-occipital Transarticular Approach to Anterior Extradural Lesions of the Craniovertebral Junction

Abstract

The far lateral and extreme lateral variants of the atlanto-occipital transarticular approach provide an alternative to the transoral approach to the anterior extradural structures at the CVJ. Compared with the transoral approach, both approaches provide a shorter operative route, avoid the contaminated nasopharynx, reduce the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leak, and are not limited laterally by the atlanto-occipital joint.