Aggressive osteoblastoma of the cervical spine involving the canal and vertebral artery: a case report
Kei Ando, Shiro Imagama, Kazuyoshi Kobayashi, Yoshihiro Nishida, Naoki Ishiguro
December 2016, Volume 26, Issue 1, pp 111 - 116 Case Report Read Full Article 10.1007/s00586-016-4904-7
First Online: 15 December 2016
Objective
We present such a case of aggressive osteoblastoma of cervical spine. We describe its complicated clinical progression, hoping to shed light on the surgical strategy of this complex tumor.
Methods
We present such a case of aggressive osteoblastoma involving the C6–7 vertebrae. A 25-year-old man was diagnosed as aggressive osteoblastoma of the cervical spine. The lesion encroached upon the radicular foramina and was located adjacent to the canal of the vertebral artery. Preoperative embolization was performed to reduce intraoperative bleeding and to prevent intraoperative injury of the vertebral artery.
Results
A pathologic examination showed osteoblasts suggestive of osteoblastoma. At 2-year follow-up, bony union was achieved, and there was no evidence of recurrence on a CT scan.
Conclusion
En bloc total resection for highly vascular osteoblastoma is ideal, but this case shows that piecemeal total resection following preoperative embolization is a surgical option for highly expansive osteoblastoma.
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