C2/C3 pathologic fractures from polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of the cervical spine treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty

We will discuss a potential role of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in the management of patients with severe fibrous dysplasia of the spine with multiple cervical lesions and C2–C3 pathologic fractures that may not be a good surgical candidate. Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia involvement of the cervical spine is rare. Review of literature indicates only few reported cases of surgical management with one case of mortality indicating increased risks associated with surgical intervention. While PVP is commonly used for the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures, its role in vertebral stabilization for fibrous dysplasia has not been reported. A 35-year-old man with McCune–Albright syndrome and severe polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of C2 and C3 vertebrae presented with severe neck pain, radiculopathy, quadriparesis and myelopathy. The lesion had pathologic fractures, and there was an os odontoideum with cervical cord atrophy at the C1 level. After discussing need for aggressive surgical management and potential complications, we offered PVP due to surgical risks involved. PVP was performed with a posterolateral transpedicular approach without complication. The patient had remarkable improvement in clinical relief of neck pain and improvement of myelopathic symptoms at 1-year follow-up. We present a case that illustrates a potential use of PVP in the management of a patient with symptomatic spinal fibrous dysplasia with associated pathologic fractures who was poor surgical candidate.

     

Intramedullary rod fixation of fibrous dysplasia without use of bisphosphonates

Purpose

Controversy exists regarding approach to treatment of pediatric patients with fibrous dysplasia.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of seven patients who were treated at our institution for fibrous dysplasia by intramedullary rod fixation without bisphosphonate supplementation.

Results

Seven patients with a total of ten fibrous dysplasia lesion sites surgically treated by intramedullary rod fixation were included. Of these ten lesion sites, eight demonstrated pathologic fracture at the time of fixation. Complete fracture healing was observed in all eight sites, with no incidence of recurrent pathologic fractures examined radiographically. There were no major infections or neurologic deficits, and lesions appeared to stabilize.

Conclusions

In this series, intramedullary rod fixation proved to be successful in treatment of acute pathologic fracture and incompletely healed fibrous dysplasia lesions. We observed partial resolution of fibrous dysplasia lesions at all ten sites without significant long-term complications. Following treatment, there were no refractures.

Level of evidence

Level IV, case series.     

Dysplasie fibreuse polyostotique du rachis dorsal. Cas clinique et revue de la littérature

Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of the thoracic spine is extremely rare and considered a benign disease. We report the case of a 46-year-old woman admitted to the emergency department for subacute paraplegia. The spinal X-ray showed a spontaneous fracture at the T4–T5 level. The CT scan revealed a tumor infiltration of the vertebral body responsible for lysis. Spinal MRI confirmed the neoplasia also located in the epidural space with spinal cord compression. The patient underwent an emergency laminectomy associated with transpedicular screw fixation between the T2 and T6 levels. At 2 months, she had evolved to a normal gait. In the second session, a transthoracic approach was used for a bone-graft-assisted fusion procedure to achieve long-term stabilization. At 4 years, the bone fusion was excellent and the patient was able to resume socioprofessional activities. The diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia is usually made histologically on surgical biopsy but MRI and CT scan sometimes provide a preliminary indication. Although a consensus for management of this disease has not been achieved, the authors recommend radical removal of all involved tissues accompanied by internal fixation and bone-graft-assisted fusion.     

Lumbar hemangioma masking a plasma cell tumor—case report and review of the literature

Background contextVertebral hemangiomata are ubiquitous bone tumors. Often multiple, they are generally benign in nature and slow growing. They typically have a predictable radiographic appearance. Occasionally, hemangiomata may behave in a more aggressive manner, causing pathologic fracture or even symptoms/signs of nerve compression. In such cases, one must be careful not to assume that an atypical hemangioma is responsible. Coexisting, more malignant processes may be present and sometimes may be radiographically undetectable in the setting of acute fracture. This was the case in our patient.Study designCase report/university spine surgery center.MethodsThe patient underwent a corpectomy of her affected vertebra with conversion to a total spondylectomy when intraoperative frozen section was consistent with plasma cell neoplasm. A reconstruction with vertebral body replacement and fusion through anterior and posterior approaches was completed. Subsequently, the literature was reviewed for other cases of atypical hemangiomata to investigate the incidence of coexistent lesions.ResultsThis patient presented with pain secondary to an unstable pathologic vertebral body fracture. Surgery to stabilize her spine was elected. Intraoperative recognition of abnormal-appearing tissue led to the diagnosis of a plasma cell neoplasm that was not seen on imaging. Coexistent in the same vertebra was hemangiomatous tissue that was visible on preoperative imaging.ConclusionsThere are rare reports of aggressively behaving hemangiomata that mainly have occurred in the thoracic spine. There have been no reports of the coexistence of a hemangioma and a plasma cell tumor in the same vertebral level in the setting of acute compression fracture.     

Osteofibrous dysplasia-like adamantinoma versus osteofibrous dysplasia in children: A case report of challenging diagnosis

IntroductionOsteofibrous dysplasia (OFD) and Osteofibrous dysplasia-like Adamantinoma have a similar appearance both in clinical and radiography, but different in its histopathology. Despite this similarity, the treatment and prognosis are different, therefore the diagnosis should be established precisely.Case illustrationA three-year-old boy was admitted to hospital after falling on his lower leg. A bead size lump appeared on his tibia with pain and swelling, which later became enlarged. Diagnosis of osteofibrous dysplasia and adamantinoma was considered. We performed limb-salvage procedure by curretage, bone grafting, and internal fixation application. The histology section showed woven bone rimmed by polygonal osteoblast cell with intervening fibrous stroma and small nests of tumour cells raised the possibility of epithelial differentiation. The positivity for cytokeratin immunostaining confirmed the diagnosis as osteofibrous dysplasia-like adamantinoma. In this case it is a very rare spectrum of malignancy in children.DiscussionThese two tumor entities have identical radiographic characteristics, histopathology features the distinction between classic adamantinoma and OFD-like adamantinoma based on the predominant epithelial component. The relationship of osteofibrous dysplasia with adamantinoma is unclear. Several authors considered possible calling relationship osteofibrous dysplasia as “juvenile adamantinoma”. However, does not rule out the possible existence of de novo osteofibrous dysplasia not related to adamantinoma.ConclusionsOFD-like adamantinoma and Osteofibrous Dysplasia had similar histopathology pattern, a pathologist must be aware of this feature and perform immunohistochemical staining for keratin particularly when the histopathological feature of osteofibrous dysplasia showed small nests of tumor cells within the fibrous stroma. diagnostic challenging and require multidisciplinary approach.     

Monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the distal radius metaphysis: case report

We report the case of a 56-year-old male with distal radius monostotic fibrous dysplasia that was detected when the patient suffered a pathologic fracture. This case is unusual because of the location of the tumor and the age of the patient.     

Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of the cervical spine: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Multiple lytic lesions of the spine usually represent metastatic or infectious disease processes. PURPOSE: To describe an extremely rare presentation of an uncommon disease process. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Case report/university hospital. METHODS: We describe the management of a patient who presented with a pathological fracture of C3 and multiple lytic lesions of the cervical spine. RESULTS: After reconstructive surgery, the final pathological diagnosis was fibrous dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Fibrous dysplasia is rarely seen in the cervical spine and may mimic other pathological processes. The surgical and medical management of spinal fibrous dysplasia is described.     

Thoracic Myelopathy Secondary to Intradural Extramedullary Bronchogenic Cyst

Abstract

Background/Objective: To report a case of thoracic myelopathy secondary to intradural extramedullary bronchogenic cyst.

Study Design: Case report.

Methods/Findings: A 20-year-old man presented to the emergency department with increasing back pain and lower-extremity weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a cystic lesion at the T4 level with mass effect on the spinal cord.

Results: The lesion was resected, and histopathologic evaluation showed a cyst lined by respiratory-type epithelium consistent with a bronchogenic cyst.

Conclusions: Intradural extramedullary bronchogenic cysts of the thoracic spine have been reported previously but are extremely rare. The treatment of choice is surgical resection.     

Spinal cord compression by hematoma in the cervical ligamentum flavum: a case report

Background contextThere have been some reports describing hematoma in the thoracic and lumbar ligamentum flavum, but there have been only three reports of hematoma in the cervical ligamentum flavum.PurposeWe describe another case of the ligamentum flavum hematoma in the cervical spine with a different feature of occurrence that required surgical treatment.Study designCase report.Patient samplePatient with ligamentum flavum hematoma in the cervical spine.Outcome measuresPreoperative magnetic resonance imaging and pathologic finding from operative specimen confirmed the diagnosis.MethodsA 69-year-old man insidiously presented with pain in his left upper arm and difficulty in left shoulder abduction. Neurologic examination demonstrated a cervical myelopathy with diffuse muscle weakness of left upper extremity and sensory disturbance. Imaging studies revealed a mass of high intense on T1-weighted images and isointense on T2-weighted images posterior to the dura at C4 lower end level. The patient underwent C4–C5 hemilaminectomy and the removal of the mass. The mass existed within the ligamentum flavum and was connected toward the pedicle like the beads of a rosary.ResultsHistopathologic examination of the surgical specimen showed that the hematoma was present within the ligamentum flavum and contained macrophages that had phagocytosed red blood cells and hemosiderin. After surgery, the patients' symptoms immediately improved, and no recurrence was observed at 2 years postoperatively.ConclusionsWe reported a very rare case of hematoma in the ligamentum flavum of the cervical spine that required surgery. Because the patient was without the history of trauma, it was suggested that the use of antiplatelet drugs was responsible for the occurrence of the disease.     

The unstable thoracic cage injury: The concomitant sternal fracture indicates a severe thoracic spine fracture

IntroductionThe thoracic cage is an anatomical entity composed of the upper thoracic spine, the ribs and the sternum. The aims of this study were primarily to analyse the combined injury pattern of thoracic cage injuries and secondarily to evaluate associated injuries, trauma mechanism, and clinical outcome. We hypothesized that the sternal fracture is frequently associated with an unstable fracture of the thoracic spine and that it may be an indicator for unstable thoracic cage injuries.Patients and methodsInclusion criteria for the study were (a) sternal fracture and concomitant thoracic spine fracture, (b) ISS ≥ 16, (c) age under 50 years, (d) presence of a whole body computed-tomography performed at admission of the patient to the hospital. Inclusion criteria for the control group were as follows: (a) thoracic spine fracture without concomitant sternal fracture, (b)–(d) same as study cohort.ResultsIn a 10-year-period, 64 patients treated with a thoracic cage injury met inclusion criteria. 122 patients were included into the control cohort. In patients with a concomitant sternal fracture, a highly unstable fracture (AO/OTA type B or C) of the thoracic spine was detected in 62.5% and therefore, it was significantly more frequent compared to the control group (36.1%). If in patients with a thoracic cage injury sternal fracture and T1–T12 fracture were located in the same segment, a rotationally unstable type C fracture was observed more frequently. The displacement of the sternal fracture did not influence the severity of the concomitant T1–T12 fracture.ConclusionsThe concomitant sternal fracture is an indicator for an unstable burst fracture, type B or C fracture of the thoracic spine, which requires surgical stabilization. If sternal and thoracic spine fractures are located in the same segment, a highly rotationally unstable type C fracture has to be expected.     

Monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the spine: report of a case involving a cervical vertebra

Monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the spine is a rare entity. Only 26 cases, of which 11 were located in the cervical spine, are to be found in the literature. We report a 56-year-old male patient with cervicobrachialgia of half year’s duration. Radiographs showed a diffuse destruction of the vertebral body and the spinous process of C₄. A biopsy of the spinous process confirmed histopathologically a fibrous dysplasia. Due to minor symptoms, no surgical treatment was performed or is planned unless in case of increasing pain, an acute instability or neurological symptoms.     

Chondrosarcoma arising in monostotic fibrous dysplasia treated with total femur resection and megaprothesis: A case report

IntroductionFibrous dysplasia is tumor like lesions of bone which develop as substitution of bone by an expansion of fibrous connective tissue mixed with hard trabeculae. Chondrosarcomas is one of common malignant primary bone tumor derived from heterogenous group of neoplasm producing chondroid matrix. Chondrosarcoma arising in fibrous dysplasia, especially in monostotic fibrous dysplasia is a very rare case.Case reportA 54-year-old male presented with chief complaint of pain on left thigh. Patient with history of pathological fracture on left femoral diaphysis 3 years ago due to fibrous dysplasia and had underwent curettage, open reduction, and internal fixation at other hospital. Plain radiography revealed expansive lytic lesion, interrupted periosteal reaction with plate and screw attached to the lesion, and soft tissue mass. MRI T2FS sequence showed hyperintense mass extending from subtrochanteric to distal of left femoral diaphysis. Histopathological result from biopsy suggested chondrosarcoma.ConclusionsMalignant transformation of monostotic type was less frequently compared to polyostotic type. Among all malignant transformation cases, alteration to chondrosarcoma was more scarce than other malignancy such as osteosarcoma and fibrosarcoma. Wide surgical margin and reconstruction in chondrosarcoma provide good local control and functional outcome.     

Tetraparesis as clinical correlate of subacute cervical flexion myelopathy

Context: We report the case of a 20-year-old woman who underwent tracheal resection with postoperative chin-to-chest suture for 10 days, presenting with severe tetraparesis at our institution. Similar cases have been reported previously, however, not yet in the pathophysiological context of chronic cervical flexion myelopathy (Hirayama syndrome).

Findings: Extensive myelopathy at cervical level is the consequence of the fixed cervical spine position due to chin-to-chest suture. Predominantly affected young individuals (age range from 20–25 years) without evidence of degenerated spine disease suggest a similar mechanism as described in Hirayama syndrome—displacement of the dura with consecutive compression of the spinal cord vasculature.

Conclusions: Subacute flexion myelopathy represents a serious complication of operative/postoperative fixed cervical spine positions, warranting particular attention by respective surgeons.     

Aggressive plasmablastic lymphoma of the thoracic spine presenting as acute spinal cord compression in a case of asymptomatic undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus infection

Background contextPlasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare aggressive variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.PurposeWe describe a rare case of an aggressive PBL presenting as acute spinal cord compression requiring thoracic decompression and fusion, in a case of previously undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.Study designA case report.Patient sampleA patient with PBL of the thoracic spine.Outcome measuresPreoperative magnetic resonance imaging, pathologic findings from the operative specimen, and serum HIV testing confirmed the diagnosis.MethodsWe present the case of a 33-year-old Caucasian woman with a 10-day history of thoracic back pain and a 1-day history of sudden-onset bilateral lower limb weakness and paresthesia from below the level of the umbilicus (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] Grade C). Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an extradural mass extending from T3 to T6 within the left posterior canal, resulting in significant cord compression. A complete debulking of the tumor mass and an instrumented posterior thoracic fusion was performed.ResultsHistopathologic examination of the specimen revealed tumor cells of PBL, and subsequent HIV testing was positive. She was treated with intravenous and intrathecal chemotherapy to prevent recurrence. Her lower limb neurologic status improved to ASIA Grade D over the subsequent 2 weeks.ConclusionsWe report the case of an aggressive PBL presenting as acute spinal cord compression requiring urgent surgical intervention, on a background of undiagnosed HIV infection.     

The “slide technique”: an improvement on the “funnel technique” for safe pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine

Study design

Technical note.

Objectives

To report and describe a new free-hand technique for pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine especially in severe deformities.

Summary of background data

Because of distortion of anatomic landmarks scoliosis, this free-hand placement technique based on pedicle access through the decancelled transverse process is a safe procedure.

Methods

Transverse process is widely exposed and its posterior cortex is decorticated. The cancellous bone content of the transverse process is completely removed using a small curette. Bone wax is applied to avoid local bleeding and then the decancelled transverse process is inspected. The entry of the pedicle is then easily identified by the presence of remaining cancellous bone. A pedicular probe is then inserted and gently advanced. During pedicle probe insertion, the cortex of the anterior aspect of transverse process and the lateral margin of the pedicle act as a “slide” to permit safe insertion of the instrument.

Results

In our experience, no patient required additional procedures for screw revision, and no neurologic deficit occurred stemming from malpositioning of pedicle screws. The key point of the “slide technique” is to use the cortex of the anterior aspect of transverse process and the lateral margin of the pedicle as a “slide” to permit correct probe positioning during pedicle probe insertion.

Conclusions

This technique is very close to the “funnel technique”. The “funnel” and then the “slide” technique are mostly useful in complex spinal deformities as in neuromuscular patients. The “slide technique” is a safe, effective and cost-effective technique for pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine especially in severe deformities.

Level of evidence

IV.

     

颗粒打压植骨辅钢板内固定治疗股骨近端骨肿瘤或瘤样病损

目的 :评价颗粒打压植骨辅钢板内固定治疗股骨近端骨肿瘤或瘤样病损的临床可行性。方法 :2013年1月至2016年1月治疗股骨近端骨肿瘤或瘤样病损26例,均未发生病理性骨折,男12例,女14例;年龄8~62岁,平均34.2岁。病理结果:纤维结构不良11例,骨孤立性骨囊肿7例,骨巨细胞瘤3例,动脉瘤样骨囊肿3例,非骨化性纤维瘤1例,良性纤维组织细胞瘤1例。术前未进行病灶活组织检查,术后送慢病理,手术采取颗粒打压植骨辅钢板内固定。结果:26例均随访至恢复日常生活,随访时间8~42个月,平均25个月。参照骨与软组织肿瘤协会(MSTS)进行功能评估。术后末次复查股骨正侧位X线片,植骨边缘及植骨体部未见低密度影,植骨区骨愈合良好,所有患者未见复发及转移病灶,内固定物无松动、变形。髋关节功能恢复良好,所有患者无再骨折和畸形进展。结论:股骨近端肿瘤复发与病灶刮除植骨技术有关,刮除后采用化学、物理方法处理消灭残留的肿瘤细胞,利用此方法可以获得疾病的长期治愈,减少复发,恢复髋关节功能。     

Unstable thoracic spine fracture with aortic encroachment: A potentially fatal association and a suggested treatment

BackgroundThe coexistence of an unstable spinal fracture with a pending aortic lesion is potentially catastrophic and a therapeutic challenge as to timing of treatment, assigning priorities and selecting the best approach.Case reportA 41 year-old healthy male victim of bike accident. Imaging revealed a fracture of 6th and 7th thoracic vertebrae with a bone fragment in close proximity to the descending thoracic aorta. After consultation with spine/vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists it was decided to secure the potential aortic injury with an endovascular stent-graft followed by posterior vertebral instrumentation for fracture’s reduction.Discussion/conclusionA multi-specialists teamwork approach is mandatory. Vascular lesion is priority, followed by vertebral surgery. As to the treatment options, we suggest a “best but still safest” philosophy: endovascular repair and posterior spinal instrumentation should be considered first in the acute stage.     

Comparison of the clinical efficacy of different fixation systems for the treatment of transverse patellar fractures

Purpose: This study was designed to compare the clinical efficacy of “8” and “0” wire fixation systems combined with double-head cannulated compression screws or Kirschner wires for the treatment of transverse patellar fractures. Methods: From September 2011 to September 2018, patients with closed transverse patellar fractures treated with a double-head compression screw or Kirschner wire were included and analyzed retrospectively. Patients with patellar fractures combined with distal femoral fractures, tibial plateau fracture or preoperative lower limb dysfunction were excluded. The patients treated with the “8” tension band wire fixation system and Kirschner wire were taken as Group A; those treated with the “0” fixation system and Kirschner wire were taken as Group B; those treated with the “8” fixation system and double-head cannulated compression screw were taken as group C; and those treated with the “0” fixation system and double-head cannulated compression screw were taken as group D. Six weeks and one year after the operation and every month from the third month after the operation until the fractures healed, an X-ray examination was performed to identify fracture healing. The time of fracture healing and postoperative complications of the four groups were compared. One year after the operation, knee function was evaluated by Bostman’s score. Results: During the study period, 168 patients with patellar fractures were treated by operations, and 88 patients were excluded because the fracture type did not meet the requirements or because there were combined fractures of the distal femur or tibial plateau. As a result, 80 patients were included in this study, 20 in each group. All the patients were followed up for an average period of 12.2 months. Compared with Group A, patients in Group D presented less postoperative discomfort in the prepatellar region, quicker fracture healing, less fixation failure and better postoperative knee function scores (all p < 0.05). The incidence of internal fixation failure in Group (B+D) was lower than that in Group (A+C) (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The “0” wire fixation system combined with a double-head cannulated compression screw seems to be more beneficial than the other three fixation systems for the treatment of transverse patellar fractures.     

借助胸腔镜技术的胸段、上腰段脊柱前路手术

目的探讨胸腔镜辅助胸椎、上腰椎前路手术的适应证 ,单肺或双肺通气的选择以及术中注意事项。方法　应用胸腔镜、骨科常规手术器械或自制的骨科器械 ,在胸腔镜辅助下行病灶清除、脊髓减压、植骨、钢板螺丝钉内固定术。结果　全部病例手术都顺利完成 ,切口均一期愈合 ,随访 3～ 10个月 ,影像学检查显示病灶清除彻底 ,脊髓减压充分 ,除 1例骨折复位、固定后仍有轻度侧方成角畸形外 ,其他病例复位满意、内固定可靠 ,位置良好。结论胸椎、上腰椎疾患 ,不论是否并发脊髓、马尾神经压迫 ,都能在胸腔镜辅助下完成病灶清除术 ,必要时还可进行脊髓减压、脊柱前路植骨、内固定手术。原则上可选择常规气管插管、双肺通气下完成手术。