title: Lymphangiomatosis of the spine: two cases requiring surgical intervention.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033, USA. roberto_watkins@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: Richard A K
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: J Gordon
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: McComb
authors.forename: Vernon T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Tolo
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D007372:Interferons