Giant cell tumor of the tenosynovial type in the prevertebral space with a cervical approach

Abstract

<p class="abstract">The complex anatomy of the neck makes surgical interventions of cervical neoplasms a very complex process. The aforementioned challenges the surgeon to find a surgical approach with the least morbidity and cosmetic sequelae. This is particularly true in tumoral occupation of the prevertebral space (PVS), most frequently due to the extension of neoplasms from naso and oropharynx; whereas primary tumors of the PVS are extremely rare. There are a number of surgical approaches to access the skull base and the anterior region of the upper cervical spine, such as the transcervical-transtemporal approach, retraction and dissection of the soft palate, mandibular osteotomy, medial glossotomy, among others. The following article presents a case report in which a less invasive combined transcervical-transoral approach was performed on a tenosynovial giant cell tumor of the PVS. As an alternative in the treatment of these type of lesions, it is in our opinion equally effective and less morbid.</p>