title: [Clinical manifestation and surgical treatment of spinal osteoblastoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the clinical manifestation and surgical outcome of spinal osteoblastoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2006 to July 2010, 11 patients with spinal osteoblastoma treated surgically were analyzed retrospectively. There were 7 males and 4 females with an average age of 23.5 years (range, 16 - 34 years). The tumors were located at C(5) in 3, C(6) in 4, C(7) in 2, C(6) ~ T(1) in 1 and T(11) in 1. Based on WBB classification, 9 were 1 - 3 or 10 - 12 and 2 were 4 - 9 and 1 - 3. All the operations had been performed with en-bloc resection. The posterior approach was used for 9 patients, and combined posterior and anterior approach was used for 2 patients. Reconstruction using instrumentation and fusion was performed using spinal instrumentation in 8 patients. To evaluate the change of pain before and after the operation by visual analogue scales (VAS), and to assess functional status of the spine by McCormick scale. Imaging test was used to review the stability and recurrence rate of spine cord, and the confluence of graft bones.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All cases were followed up for 12 - 64 months (average, 28.4 months). The average surgical time was 130.5 minutes (range, 90 - 210 minutes), with the average intraoperative blood loss of 560 ml (range, 300 - 1000 ml). During the follow-up period, the VAS grade reduced from 6.3 ± 1.1 to 2.5 ± 1.0 (t = 8.48, P < 0.05). There were 8 patients had neurological function improved and 3 remained no change which was evaluated by McCormick scale for spinal function status at final follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spinal osteoblastoma has its own specific radiographic feature. There are some recurrence in simple curettage of tumor lesion. The thoroughly en-bloc resection of tumor or spondylectomy, bone fusion and strong in ter fixation are the key points for successful surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Zhong-hai
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Tie-sheng
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Hou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018215:Osteoblastoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult