J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2012 Apr;51(4):233-236. 10.3340/jkns.2012.51.4.233.

Subclinical Cervical Osteochondroma Presenting as Brown-Sequard Syndrome after Trivial Neck Trauma

• Lee JY
• Im SB
• Park KW
• Shin DS

• KMID: 2066918
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2012.51.4.233

Abstract

Osteochondroma is a rare condition in the spine that may be indolent due to its slow growth. The authors present a case of 32-year-old man with subclinical osteochondroma in the cervical spine presenting as Brown-Sequard syndrome after trivial neck trauma. After resection of the tumor through hemilaminectomy, his symptoms were improved with mild residual sequelae.

Keyword

Spinal cord contusion; Brown-Sequard syndrome; Osteochondroma; Cervical spine

MeSH Terms

Adult
Brown-Sequard Syndrome
Humans
Neck
Osteochondroma
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spine

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Preoperative plain radiographs show a subtle sclerotic lesion on the C4-5 facet.

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  Fig. 2 Preoperative CT sagittal (A) and axial (B) images reveal an exophytic osseous mass in the C4-5 lamina and some part of the facet.

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  Fig. 3 Preoperative magnetic resonance T2 sagittal (A) and axial (B) images. The compression of the cord by an extradural mass seems to be imminent. The signal change of the cord is noticed.

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  Fig. 4 Postoperative CT sagittal (A) and axial (B) images. The exophytic osseous lesion was removed through the hemilaminectomy.

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  Fig. 5 Pathologic findings on the microscopy. Osteochondroma showing the outer cartilage cap (black arrow) and underlying bony stalk (white arrow) (H&E, ×40).

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  Fig. 6 Postoperative magnetic resonance T2 sagittal (A) and axial (B) images. The spinal canal is completely decompressed. The myelomalacic change remains in the left one-third of the cord.

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