[Surgical treatment of cervical spine tumors involving vertebral artery in children: analysis of small sample siz].

Objective: To analyze the features of cervical spine tumors involving vertebral artery in pediatric patients.

Material And Methods: A single center 2-year retrospective cohort includes 7 children with cervical spine tumors involving vertebral artery. Demographic data, duration of diagnostic process, clinical and radiological manifestations, features of surgical treatment, morphology, and postoperative outcomes were studied. We analyzed the features of vascular imaging, pre- and intraoperative manipulations on the vertebral artery.

Results: Mean age of patients was 13.3 years, duration of diagnostic process - 13.1 months. Cervicalgia was the most common complaint. Malignant process was found in 2 cases. Preoperative temporary balloon occlusion test and subsequent endovascular embolization of vertebral artery were performed in 1 case, intraoperative ligation - in 1 patient. Injury and subsequent tamponade were noted in another patient. There were not neurological complications associated with arterial occlusion in postoperative period.

Conclusion: Our group was compared with the data from 14 manuscripts comprising 21 children with similar cervical spine lesions. The decision making algorithm for surgical treatment of patients with cervical spine tumors involving vertebral artery is proposed.