Posterior Approach for Upper Cervical Schwannomas (C1–C2): Two Case Reports and Literature Review
Pedro Nogarotto Cembraneli, Julia Brasileiro de Faria Cavalcante Cembraneli, Italo Nogarotto, Renata Brasileiro de Faria Cavalcante, José Edison da Silva Cavalcante, Rodrigo Correia de Alcântara, Marcos Daniel Xavier, Vitor Cesar Machado, Alessandro Fonseca Cardoso and Chrystiano Fonseca Cardoso
Upper cervical schwannomas at the C1–C2 level are rare and present surgical challenges due to
the complex anatomy and proximity to critical neurovascular structures. We present two cases of
schwannomas located at the C1–C2 junction treated via a posterior approach. In the first case, a 75-yearold female underwent laminectomy, and in the second, a woman in her 30s underwent laminoplasty. Both
surgeries achieved gross total resection with favorable neurological outcomes. We discuss the rationale
for the surgical approach, the importance of preserving spinal stability, and the role of individualized
decision-making in managing these rare tumors.
