title: Extensive total spondylectomy for recurrent giant cell tumor in the thoracic spine. Case report.
abstract: The authors report the case of a 47-year-old woman who harbored a giant cell tumor at the T-5 level. She had undergone curettage of the tumor via a combined anterior and posterior approach at a regional hospital and was later referred to the authors' institution for treatment after the tumor recurred. On examination she exhibited progressive paraparesis and was nonambulatory due to cord compression caused by the tumor, which had invaded the spinal canal and extended to the right paravertebral muscles and right thoracic cavity. A spondylectomy was performed through a single posterior approach. The tumor, together with a portion of the dura mater, pleura, and muscles, was resected en bloc from T-4 to T-6. After resection, spinal reconstruction was performed by placement of an anterior titanium mesh cage as well as posterior pedicle screw and rod instrumentation. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and she exhibited substantial neurological recovery and became ambulatory. Two and a half years after surgery, the patient was tumor free. En bloc resection of a recurrent giant cell tumor was successfully achieved through a single posterior approach. This surgical technique can be an effective option for this pathological condition, which is difficult to manage using other conventional treatment options including repeated curettage and radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Musculoskeletal Reconstruction and Regeneration Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan. morio@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
authors.forename: Morio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Hironari
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takaishi
authors.forename: Masaya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morioka
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahata
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Toyama
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005870:Giant Cell Tumors / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000175:diagnosis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome