Anterior cervicothoracic approach to an upper thoracic spinal endodermal cyst.

Endodermal cysts are rare forms of benign tumors that comprise about 0.01% of all central nervous system (CNS) tumors. They are found in cranial and/or spinal locations. The posterior approach to the spinal cord is generally the approach of choice for safe resection of those lesions. We report on a thoracic endodermal cyst that was surgically resected using an anterior approach to the spinal cord.