title: Cervical Osteochondroma Causing Myelopathy in Adults: Management Considerations and Literature Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteochondromas are the most frequent benign bone tumors but only rarely occur along the spinal column and even more rarely induce symptoms from spinal cord compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 2 adult patients, both with a history of hereditary multiple exostoses, who presented with cervical myelopathy secondary to osteochondromas. The first patient is a 22-year-old man with numbness and weakness of his right upper limb and neck pain. Radiologic images showed a bony tumor arising from the C3 lamina with evidence of severe spinal cord compression. The second patient is a 20-year-old woman with weakness of her left upper and lower limbs and progressive numbness of the left hand, as well as neck and back pain. Radiologic images showed a bony tumor arising from the C4 lamina with evidence of significant spinal cord compression and cord signal abnormality. Both patients underwent surgical excision of the epidural mass and pathology confirmed a diagnosis of osteochondroma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We discuss the role of surgical intervention, management, and postoperative follow-up in adult patients with cervical osteochondromas. Recommended management includes radiographic imaging and surgical intervention, particularly when evidence of spinal cord impingement occurs. Consistent postoperative follow-up is necessary to ensure appropriate recovery of neurologic function. Surgical management of cervical osteochondromas typically results in excellent and stable clinical outcomes with rare recurrence.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.
authors: Anand
authors: A
authors: Veeravagu
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Li
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.
authors: Lawrence M
authors: LM
authors: Shuer
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. Electronic address: atman@stanford.edu.
authors: Atman M
authors: AM
authors: Desai
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D015831:Osteochondroma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Myelopathy; Osteochondroma; Spinal cord