title: Extensive lumbar chordoma and unique reconstructive approach.
abstract: Chordomas are rare, malignant, low grade, primary bone tumours arising from notochord remnants. They are rarely located in the lumbar spine and consequently, the literature is lacking about the condition. There are very few case reports on the technical aspects of resection of extensive lesions such as our case. Treatment can be potentially curative only if aggressive surgical resection is utilised. We describe a case of an extensive lumbar chordoma, and demonstrate the possibility of performing a staged anterior and posterior total tumour resection with planned transgression in conjunction with an expandable cage, vascularised rib, fibula and latissimus dorsi grafts for the treatment and reconstruction of extensive spinal disease with this condition.
authors.affiliation: University of New South Wales, 18/8-12 Ascot St, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia. praveenan_sivabalan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Praveenan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sivabalan
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ralph J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mobbs
mesh_terms: D002817:Chordoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome