Secondary tetraplegia due to giant-cell tumors of the cervical spine.
OBJECTIVE
Giant-cell tumor of the bone is a neoplasm which rarely affects the spine, and occurs even more infrequently above the sacrum. The symptomatology depends on the tumor site, and may be attributable to a compression mechanism. Spinal cord injury is seldom a complication and tetraplegia is even more infrequent. In this paper, we present an unusual case involving a giant cell tumor. We also review its possible diagnoses and treatments.


METHODS
We present the case of giant-cell tumors in the cervical spine affecting C6 and C7, in a young woman who suffered tetraplegia due to spinal cord compression. After surgery and radiotherapy, the tumor reappeared, requiring a second operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Early clinical diagnosis of giant-cell tumors of the spine is difficult because their development tends to go unnoticed. Imaging techniques, especially MRI, help identify them; but their diagnosis still requires histopathologic tests. Resection of the neoplasm is recommended, when possible. Curettage may allow recurrence and radiotherapy may lead to sarcomatous degeneration of the tumor.
García-Bravo
A
A
Medical Rehabilitation Unit, Universitary Hospital Insular of Gran Canaria, Avenida Marítima del Sur s/n, 350016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, España. agarbra@gobiernodecanarias.org
Sánchez-Enríquez
J
J
Méndez-Suárez
J L
JL
Melián-Suárez
A
A
Miranda-Calderín
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005870:Giant Cell Tumors / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery