Lymphangiomatosis of the spine: two cases requiring surgical intervention.
METHODS
Two cases of lymphangiomatosis of the spine are presented.


OBJECTIVE
To report two cases of lymphangiomatosis of the spine requiring surgical intervention and to review the literature.


BACKGROUND
Lymphangiomatosis is a rare childhood disease characterized by abnormal lymph tissue at multiple sites. Skeletal and visceral involvement are both common. Prognosis depends on the extent of extraskeletal disease.


METHODS
Two cases of lymphangiomatosis causing neural compression and instability at the cervicothoracic junction are presented. Both patients underwent surgical decompression and stabilization.


RESULTS
One patient died, whereas the other regained full function and activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgery is indicated when lymphangiomatosis causes neural compression and instability of the spine. Surgical outcome is strongly influenced by extraskeletal involvement.
Watkins
Robert G
RG
Department of Orthopedics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033, USA. roberto_watkins@yahoo.com
Reynolds
Richard A K
RA
McComb
J Gordon
JG
Tolo
Vernon T
VT
D000293:Adolescent; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D018450:Disease Progression; D017586:Diskectomy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008141:Lordosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D007372:Interferons