Asian Spine J.  2014 Jun;8(3):353-356. 10.4184/asj.2014.8.3.353.

Giant Chordoma of the Upper Thoracic Spine with Mediastinal Involvement: A Surgical Challenge

• Rena O
• Davoli F
• Allegra G
• Casadio C
• Turello D

• KMID: 2270355
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2014.8.3.353

Abstract

Thoracic chordomas are very rare malignant tumours originating from notochordal remnants. These tumours develop within a vertebral body and enlarge involving the mediastinal compartment. Because of their slow-growing attitude, they become symptomatic only when they invade or compress the spinal cord and/or mediastinal organs. We present a rare case of a thoracic spine chordoma presenting with increasing paraparesis with a huge mediastinal component which was surgically debulked to decompress the spinal cord and medistinal organs.

Keyword

Chordoma; Spine; Bone neoplasms; Mediastinum; Surgery

MeSH Terms

Bone Neoplasms
Chordoma*
Mediastinum
Notochord
Paraparesis
Spinal Cord
Spine*