title: Fibromatosis of the cervical region following laminectomy: a case report and literature review.
abstract: METHODS
  A case report and a discussion of recently published data.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To highlight the occurrence of postoperative fibromatosis arising in the cervical spine.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Fibromatosis is a benign, locally invasive fibroblastic proliferation that can cause compressive effects on adjacent structures. Although the precise etiology of fibromatosis remains unclear, numerous studies have investigated the role of pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells in β-catenin-regulated tumorigenesis. At present, aggressive fibromatosis is managed with wide local excision. Postoperative radiation therapy is indicated for incomplete excision.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 48-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of enlarging paracervical fibromatosis after undergoing extensive cervicothoracic instrumentation for excision of an extradural schwannoma. The patient underwent wide local excision of the neck mass, with right trapezius myocutaneous flap reconstruction of the subsequent defect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histologically, the lesion was shown to be fibromatosis. Six months postoperatively, the patient was doing well with no recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fibromatosis is an important diagnosis to consider when evaluating locally aggressive spinal lesions at sites of prior operative repair. Molecular and genetic studies pertaining to the role of mesenchymal stem cells and β-catenin in the pathogenesis of aggressive fibromatosis tumors could lead to possible worthwhile treatment strategies in the future.
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA. sevakshr@msu.edu
authors.forename: Shruti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sevak
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Blount
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cottingham
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DeLano
authors.forename: Douglas L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Vander Woude
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: Mathew H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery