title: Occiput to thoracic fusion after surgical resection of desmoid tumor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Desmoid tumors are rare clinical entities that cause significant morbidity based on their locally aggressive nature. Complete resection with wide margins is the standard of care; however, when arising in the neck, resection is limited due to proximity of the lesion to critical structures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a complete resection of a desmoid tumor requiring extensive resection of cervical extensor musculature. We were able to achieve a total resection of a cervical desmoid tumor with no evidence of recurrence at follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complete resection of desmoid tumors is the standard of care. In this case, we felt that complete resection would lead to iatrogenic instability; therefore, an occiput to thoracic fusion was performed at the time of the resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA. Bhood@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hood
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Benglis
authors.forename: Allan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vanni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D018222:Desmoid Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*