J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2014 Mar;55(3):167-169. 10.3340/jkns.2014.55.3.167.

Giant Cell Tumor of Upper Thoracic Spine

• Lee CG
• Kim SH
• Kim DM
• Kim SW

• KMID: 2191085
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2014.55.3.167

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Giant cell tumor; Thoracic; Polymethylmethacrylate

MeSH Terms

Follow-Up Studies
Giant Cell Tumors*
Humans
Laminectomy
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Recurrence
Spinal Canal
Spine*
Polymethyl Methacrylate

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Sagittal (A) and 3-dimensional (B) computed tomographs reveal bony destruction involving the T4 vertebral body.

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  Fig. 2 T2-weighted magnetic resonance images show a neoplastic lesion extensively involving the T4 vertebra with cord compression.

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  Fig. 3 Photomicrograph shows that the tumor is composed of round-to-oval mononuclear cells. In high power field, nodules (black star) containing round to oval mononuclear cells (arrow) and multinucleated osteoclast-like giant cells with similar nuclei were observed.

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  Fig. 4 Postoperative simple radiographs (A and B) and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images (C and D) obtained 7 years after surgery showing T3-5 screw fixation and necrotic change without cord compression.

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