Anterior, extracanalar, cervical spine osteochondroma associated with DISH: description of a very rare tumor causing bilateral vocal cord paralysis, laryngeal compression and dysphagia. Case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Osteochondromas are common benign bone tumors, rarely involving the spine.


BACKGROUND
Osteochondroma account for about 35% of bone benign tumors and 9% of all bone tumors. Spinal involvement is described in 1%-4% of cases and their origin from the anterior surface of cervical vertebral bodies is exceedingly rare.


OBJECTIVE
We describe the rare case of an osteochondroma arising from the anterior surface of the C4 and C5 vertebral bodies, and not involving the spinal canal, in a 68-year-old male patient suffering from Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH).


METHODS
The patient presented with acute onset of respiratory distress due to laryngeal compression exerted by the lesion, dysphagia and paralysis of left vocal cord. Imaging revealed the unusual lesion compressing and dislocating the air ways. An anterior approach to cervical spine was performed to remove the tumor.


RESULTS
Postoperatively, the patient sustained a progressive improvement of respiratory function and recovery of the vocal cord paralysis.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that this case holds some interesting peculiarities: firstly, the anterior location of a cervical osteochondroma could be considered exceptional; yet, the resulting clinical picture should be remembered for differential diagnosis. Secondly, we hypothesized a possible correlation between the tumorigenesis of osteochondroma and the co-existence of DISH. Indeed, the abnormal bone turnover in cervical segments due to DISH could explain the unusual occurrence of osteochondromas in adult age.


CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of an osteochondroma should be considered in patients suffering from DISH and harbouring large osteophytes.
Neurosurgery, Anatomic Pathology, Otorhinolaryngology and Thoracic Surgery Departments, Policlinico "G. Rodolico" University Hospital, Catania, Italy. giuseppebarbagal@hotmail.com.
F
F
Certo
G
G
Sciacca
R
R
Caltabiano
G
G
Albanese
A
A
Borderi
V
V
Albanese
M
M
Migliore
G M V
GM
Barbagallo
D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D004057:Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D015831:Osteochondroma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*