SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT OF DUMBBELL TUMORS OF THE CERVICAL-SPINE

TWELVE PATIENTS WITH benign dumbbell tumors of the cervical spine were treated surgically between March 1998 and July 1994. Cross total rese ction was achieved in 11 patients, using a single-stage modified poste rior midline exposure with laminectomy and complete unilateral facetec tomy. This exposure provides contiguous intraspinal, foraminal, and ex traforaminal access that extends up to 4 cm from the lateral dural mar gin. The surgical considerations of these tumors, including the surgic al technique, potential spinal instability, vertebral artery, and risk of nerve root injury, are presented.