Results of Craniocervical Junction Transoral Procedures

Between 1977 and 2004, 692 patients underwent the transoral-transpalatopharyngeal approach to the clivus and upper cervical spine. There were 303 cases of primary basilar invagination associated with congenital anomalies, 152 cases of irreducible rheumatoid dislocation with cranial settling, 43 cases of basilar invagination associated with trauma, 43 cases of dystopic os odontoideum complex, 105 cases of tumors, and 42 cases of miscellaneous abnormalities. An intentional intradural entry was made in 42 of the 692 patients. Surgical outcomes were excellent.