title: Fibrocartilaginous mesenchymoma of the fifth lumbar vertebra treated by vertebrectomy.
abstract: METHODS
  This is the first report of a fibrocartilaginous mesenchymoma in the spine.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This is a rare bone tumor composed of islands of hyaline cartilage in a collagen-producing spindle cell stroma. Seven cases of fibrocartilaginous mesenchymoma have been reported previously. Of these, four occurred in the long bones.
  
  
  METHODS
  The tumor is hypercellular with mild nuclear hyperchromasia. Few mitotic figures are present. However, it is highly infiltrative, and in the present patient, it completely encircled the spinal cord. Vertebrectomy was required to ensure tumor eradication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five years after tumor resection, femoral head allograft replacement of the vertebral body, and posterior spinal stabilization, there was no evidence of tumor recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Princess Margaret Rose Orthopaedic Hospital, Fairmilehead, Edinburgh, Scotland.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: McMaster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008637:Mesenchymoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*