Work

A Unique Case of Odontoid Metastasis Reveals Nasopharynx Carcinoma: Case Management With the Posterolateral Epidural Supra-C2-Root Approach (PESCA) Technique in Open Surgery

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We present a unique case of a 21-year-old boy diagnosed with an unstable odontoid due to cavum metastasis revealed by cervicalgia and hyperextension cervical spine deformity. There were three main problems in this case: odontoid instability, the correction of cervico-occipital deformity, and histological proof. The posterior approach with the posterolateral epidural supra-C2-root approach (PESCA) resolved the situation with great improvement. This challenging finding was unusual, and in such a situation, a large review of the literature was made to make the right choice for the patient to prevent major neurological deficits and even death.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.117248

Authors: Mehfoud Ibrahim, Mohamed Khoulali, Mohamed Dahamou, Nadir Miry, Faycal Moufid

Institutions: Mohamed I University, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Mohammed VI d'Oujda

Language: English

Topic: Management of metastatic bone disease

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7214951145