Giant cell tumor of upper thoracic spine.
Giant cell tumor (GCT) of the spine is a rare benign tumor, but can be aggressive and can exhibit a high local recurrence rate. Furthermore, GCT of the upper thoracic spine may pose diagnostic and management difficulties. Here, we report a rare case of GCT of the upper thoracic spine with soft tissue extension to the spinal canal. The patient was managed by decompressive laminectomy and posterolateral fusion followed by an injection of polymethylmethacrylate into the vertebral lesion. The patient recovered clinically and showed radiological improvement after surgical treatment without tumor recurrence at his last follow-up of postoperative 7 years. We present this unusual case of GCT and include a review of the literature.
Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
Chul Gab
CG
Lee
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wonju Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
Sung Hoon
SH
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
Dong Min
DM
Kim
Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
Seok Won
SW
Kim
Giant cell tumor; Polymethylmethacrylate; Thoracic