title: Primary neoplasms of the thoracic and lumbar spine. An analysis of 29 consecutive cases.
abstract: Primary osseous neoplasms of the thoracic and lumbar spine are uncommon lesions. Between 1965 and 1982, of 1971 patients with musculoskeletal neoplasms, only 29 (1.5%) had primary osseous tumors in these locations. There were eight children and 21 adults. Back pain was the most common complaint in 25 patients (86%), and neurologic symptoms or deficits were present in 16 patients (55%). All lesions were visible on routine spine roentgenograms, while computed tomography and myelography demonstrated spinal canal encroachment and extradural spinal cord compression in 19 patients (66%). The histologic diagnoses included 11 benign and 18 malignant lesions. Benign lesions occurred predominantly in children and malignant tumors in adults. Treatment was individualized, based on the histologic diagnoses. Twenty-two patients had surgical resection of their lesions. Laminectomy without stabilization and arthrodesis resulted in late instability and neurologic deterioration in three of seven patients (43%) with malignant lesions. Resection and decompression combined with arthrodesis did not predispose to late instability. Twenty-one patients were followed for a mean of 4.1 years (range, two to 14 years). Eight patients died from malignant disease between one month and seven years after diagnosis.
authors: Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors: R B
authors: RB
authors: Delamarter
authors: B L
authors: BL
authors: Sachs
authors: G H
authors: GH
authors: Thompson
authors: H H
authors: HH
authors: Bohlman
authors: J T
authors: JT
authors: Makley
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Carter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011859:Radiography; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology