Transoral transclival removal of a schwannoma anterior to the craniocervical junction

The transoral route was used to remove a schwannoma situated anteriorly at the craniocervical junction. By a relatively simple technique, a watertight closure of the dura and nasopharynx was obtained combined with continuous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion, first by lumbar drainage and then via a lumboperitoneal shunt. This modification of the standard procedure provides a useful method to prevent CSF fistula formation following transoral intradural surgery.