Giant-cell tumor of the tendon sheath involving the thoracic spine

3D-printed Titanium Prosthetic Reconstruction of Unilateral Bone Deficiency After Surgical Resection of Tumor Lesions in the Upper Cervical Spine: Clinical Outcomes of Three Consecutive Cases and Narrative Review

MAIN POINTS

Operational excision of tumor lesions in the upper cervical spine remains a tremendous challenge to surgeons due to the local complex anatomic relationships. Meanwhile, no commercially available device has been specially designed to address bone deficiency after surgical resection. Here, we described the reconstruction of unilateral bone deficiency after surgical resection of a giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath originating from the lateral atlantoaxial joint with the employment of a 3D printing technique and reviewed the relevant literature. In our study, 3 patients with giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath in the upper cervical spine achieved complete tumor removal, and received unilateral bone reconstruction with one-armed 3D-printed titanium prosthesis. During the follow-up, these patients remained neurologically intact and got back to a normal life without wearing the braces. Images demonstrated the satisfactory placement of 3D-printed prosthesis with no failure of fixation and no subsidence. In addition, 6 articles describing the employment of 3D-printed prostheses or models for tumor surgery in the upper cervical spine were reviewed, and satisfactory clinical outcomes were reported in these studies. Hence, 3D-printed titanium prosthetic reconstruction of bone deficiency in the upper cervical spine was a safe and effective technique.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Tenosynovial giant cell tumor of the upper cervical spine arising from the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane: a case report

A tenosynovial giant cell tumor is a benign proliferative disease, mostly arising from the synovial membrane of tendon sheaths, bursae, and joints. Axial skeleton involvement is very rare, but it is often found in the cervical spine. Spinal tenosynovial giant cell tumors often arise at the facet joints; a completely extra-articular spinal tenosynovial giant cell tumor is rare. We report an extremely rare case of tenosynovial giant cell tumor in the upper cervical spine that extended from the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane rather than the facet joint. Herein, the clinical and radiological findings will be reviewed to better our understanding of the characteristics of spinal tenosynovial giant cell tumors, and to help improve their diagnosis despite their non-typical locations of origin.

Spinal pigmented villonodular synovitis and tenosynovial giant cell tumor: A report of two cases and a comprehensive systematic review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a lesion of uncertain etiology that involves the synovial membranes of joints or tendon sheaths, representing a diffuse and non-encapsulated form of the more common giant cell tumors of the synovium (GCTTS). PVNS was reclassified to denote a diffuse form of synovial giant cell tumor (TSGCT), while 'giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS)' was used for localized lesions. These pathologies rarely affect the axial skeleton. We provide an unprecedented and extensive systematic review of both lesions highlighting presentation, diagnostic considerations, treatment, prognosis, and outcomes, and we report a short case-series.

METHOD

We describe two-cases and conduct a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

RESULT

PVNS was identified in most of the cases reviewed (91.6 %), manifesting predominantly in the cervical spine (40 %). Patients commonly presented with neck pain (59 %), back pain (53 %), and lower back pain (81.2 %) for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar lesions, respectively. GTR occurred at rates of 94 %, 80 %, and 87.5 %. Recurrence was most common in the lumbar region (30.7 %). GCTTS cases (8%) manifested in the cervical and thoracic spine at the same frequency. We reported first case of GCTTS in the lumbosacral region. Both poses high rate of facet and epidural involvements.

CONCLUSION

Spinal PVNS and GCTTS are rare. These lesions manifest most commonly as PVNS within the cervical spine. Both types have a high rate of facet and epidural involvement, while PVNS has the highest rate of recurrence within the lumbar spine. The clinical and radiological features of these lesions make them difficult to differentiate from others with similar histogenesis, necessitating tissue diagnosis. Proper management via GTR resolves the lesion, with low rates of recurrence.

Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor of the Cervical Spine: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) is a rare entity that is not well described in the neurosurgical literature. We present a case of a 37-year-old woman with a diffuse subtype TGCT of the cervical spine, affecting the left cervical 6-7 facet joint, with co-incidental cervical trauma. Initial management consisted of subtotal resection and cervical stabilization with cervical 6 to 7 laminectomy, and cervical 4 to thoracic 2 posterior instrumented fusion. Gross total resection was achieved at a later date with a plan for postoperative radiation to prevent a recurrence. The patient was lost to follow-up for radiation treatment and returned 2.5 years later with minor symptoms and recurrence at the surgical site.

Tenosynovial giant cell tumor of the cervical spine: a case report

Introduction

Tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TSGCTs) generally occur in the limb joints, and only rarely in the spine. This case report describes a patient with TSGCT of the spine at C1-C2, which was treated surgically and diagnosed as TSGCT.

Case presentation

A 32-year-old woman with a 4-month history of neck pain and numbness in both upper extremities was referred to our department. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a neoplastic lesion extending from the left epidural space to the erector spinae muscles at the C1-C2 vertebral level, which was isointense on T1-weighted images, heterogeneously hypointense on T2-weighted images, and showed heterogeneous enhancement on gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA)-enhanced T1-weighted images. Computed tomography showed no findings suggestive of bone destruction of the vertebral body. Because the neurological symptoms were progressive, total macroscopic resection of the tumor was performed via a posterior approach. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed the diagnosis of TSGCT. Improvement of the both the neck pain and upper-extremity numbness was noted postoperatively. An MRI obtained 6 months after the surgery revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence and the postoperative course was uneventful.

Discussion

TSGCT of the upper cervical spine (C1-C2) is rare, and this is the tenth reported case. If a tumor is heterogeneously hypointense on T2-weighted MRI, which reflects hemosiderosis, the possibility of this tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath arising from a membrane surrounding the posterior arch of C1: a case report

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a common, benign lesion of the synovial membrane that occurs more often in large joints than in digits. Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath rarely arises in close proximity to the axial skeleton.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to report a rare case of GCTTS arising from the membrane surrounding the posterior arch of the atlas (C1).

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

This is a case report.

METHODS

The methods involve clinical findings and review of current literature.

RESULTS

In this report, we describe a rare case of GCTTS arising from the membrane surrounding the posterior arch of C1, with no apparent continuity with the facet joint. Here we show the radiographic features, with particular emphasis on positron emission tomography-computerized tomography scans, which have not been previously reported.

CONCLUSIONS

We experienced an extremely rare case of GCTTS arising from the membrane surrounding the posterior arch of the C1 vertebra. In spite of the rarity of this disease, GCTTS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the axial skeletal lesion. Awareness of GCTTS is important because its radiographic features may simulate other neoplastic lesions in the spine.

Pediatric giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath of the craniocervical junction involving the occipital condyle

INTRODUCTION

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS), also called pigmented villonodular synovitis, is a common lesion of the synovial membrane of the hand joint, but it uncommonly involves the axial skeleton, especially in pediatric populations. Furthermore, GCTTS originating from the occipital condyle has not been reported previously.

CASE REPORT

A 15-year-old girl presented with a palpable neck mass for 1 year, and imaging studies revealed a less demarcated and heterogeneously enhanced mass in the suboccipital region. The tumor was originating from the occipital condyle that eroded the skull and atlas, and it was completely resected via a far lateral transcondylar approach followed by transarticular screw fixation. After the resection, we performed occipitocervical fusion to prevent spinal instability. The patient made an uneventful recovery after surgery. Recurrence has not been observed after 5 years of follow-up.

DISCUSSION

We report this rare case and briefly review the general features and unusual locations of GCTTS with recommendations for treatment modalities.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis on lumbar spine : a case report and literature review

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a benign proliferative joint disease with an uncertain etiology that uncommonly involves the spine. We present a case of PVNS involving the lumbar spine. A 38-year-old male developed back pain and pain in both legs caused by a mass in the L4 region of the right lamina. After gross total tumor removal, the symptoms improved. The pathological finding was synovial hyperplasia with accumulation of hemosiderin-laden macrophages. He was diagnosed with PVNS and experienced no recurrence for up to 2 years after surgery. In this report, we review the previous literature and discuss etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.

Unusual presentation of giant cell tumor originating from a facet joint of the thoracic spine in a child: a case report and review of the literature

Introduction

Giant cell tumor of the synovium is a common benign lesion that frequently occurs at the tendon sheaths in the hand; it is usually found in adults over 30 years old. It is related to pigmented villonodular synovitis. Giant cell tumor of the synovium or pigmented villonodular synovitis has been described rarely in the axial skeleton especially in the thoracic vertebrae of a child.

Case presentation

A previously healthy 7-year-old Thai girl presented with back pain and progressive paraparesis and was unable to walk for 1 month. She had weakness and hyperreflexia of both lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-defined homogeneously and intensely enhanced extradural mass with cord compression at T4 to T7 levels. The patient underwent laminectomy at T4 through to T7 and total tumor removal. Permanent histopathologic sections and immunostains revealed a giant cell tumor of the synovium. Postoperative neurological status recovered to grade V. Magnetic resonance imaging at the 1-year follow-up showed no recurrence and there was no clinical recurrence at the 2-year follow-up.

Conclusion

We report an extremely rare case of giant cell tumor in the epidural space that extended from a thoracic facet joint. The tumor was removed successfully through laminectomies. Although giant cell tumor of a facet joint of the thoracic spine is very rare, it must be considered in the differential diagnosis for masses occurring in the epidural space in a child. Total tumor removal is the best treatment. Careful monitoring of recurrence can achieve a good clinical outcome.

Characterization of magnetic resonance images for spinal cord tumors

Study Design

Retrospective study MR images for spinal cord tumors.

Purpose

To analyze the characteristics of MR images for spinal cord tumors, which were then verified at surgery or biopsy.

Overview of Literature

MR images are often used as the primary diagnostic imaging tool and the preoperative study of choice. The need for biopsy may be obviated because of increasingly accurate preoperative histologic diagnosis by MR images.

Methods

The study group consisted of 39 patients who had undergone MR imaging for preoperative evaluation of spinal cord tumors between September 1989 and February 2008. All patients had operations for spinal cord tumors, which were confirmed at biopsy. Of the 39 patients, 18 were men, and 21 were women. The average follow-up period was 23.8 months. The mean patient age was 46.6 years.

Results

Diagnoses included neurilemmoma (19 cases), neurofibroma (4 cases), meningioma (5 cases), hemangioma (3 cases), giant cell tumor (1 case), ganglioneuroma (1 case), lymphoma (1 case), neuroblastoma (1 case), and metastatic tumor from the prostate (1 case). The remaining 3 cases were composed of arachnoid cysts (2 cases) and a vascular malformation (arteriovenous malformation, 1 case).

Conclusions

MR images are the preoperative modality of choice in the evaluation of spinal cord tumors. MR images can narrow the differential diagnosis and guide surgical resection.