title: Resection of benign vertebral tumors by minimally invasive techniques.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benign tumors of the vertebrae are generally an uncommon cause for surgery. Complete removal of these tumors requires in most cases extensive surgical technique that consists of generous surgical exposure followed by laminectomy, facetectomy, and sometimes even an instrumented fusion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to describe our experience in performing resection of benign vertebral tumors, using a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective review of case records.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who underwent MIS, resection of benign vertebral tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Complete neurologic examination and pain evaluation, as measured by the visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included postoperative spinal instability assessment and surgical margins examinations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 3, and 6 months intervals clinically and radiographically using plain radiographs and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans. Final pathologic report, operative time, blood loss, complications, and hospital length of stay were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2009 and 2013, 14 patients underwent MIS, resection of benign vertebral tumors at our institution. Mean follow-up time was 4 years. There were eight men and six women with a mean age of 27 years (range 16-68 years). For tumors located in the posterior elements, a direct posterior approach was used. Tumors located at the pedicle of the vertebra were excised using a transpedicular approach, and tumors protruding into the foramen were excised using the transforaminal approach. The transcanal approach was used when decompression of the thecal sac or nerve root was required, and the retroperitoneal transpsoas approach was used for tumors located in the vertebral body. Complete removal of these tumors was achieved in all cases, and was verified by a follow-up CT scan. Pathology revealed osteoid osteoma in five patients, osteoblastoma in three patients. Eosinophilic granuloma, fibrous dysplasia, and fibroid adenoma were found in one case each. Average VAS pain score improved from 7.7 (7-9) to 2.8 (0-7) after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minimally invasive techniques are a valuable choice for the treatment of benign osseous tumors of the spine. A larger, long-term study is in progress. In the meantime, we suggest surgeons experienced with both open and MIS surgery should consider these techniques.
authors.affiliation: Spine Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedic Surgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weitzman Street, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel. Electronic address: gregev@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gilad J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Regev
authors.affiliation: Spine Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedic Surgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weitzman Street, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Salame
authors.affiliation: Spine Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedic Surgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weitzman Street, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Keynan
authors.affiliation: Spine Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedic Surgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weitzman Street, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lidar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004803:Eosinophilic Granuloma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018215:Osteoblastoma / Q000601:surgery*; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Eosinophilic granuloma; Fibrous dysplasia; Marginal excision; Minimally invasive; Osteoblastoma; Osteoid osteoma