Spinal hamartoma in an elderly man

Clinical Features and Surgical Outcomes of Spinal Hamartomas: Surgical Treatment of 8 Patients

OBJECTIVE

Rarely do spinal hamartomas receive attention in the literature, and the majority of previous studies consist of case reports. The purpose of this report, then, is to provide a more accurate diagnosis and treatment of spinal hamartomas by presenting the clinical and surgical outcomes of 8 cases.

METHODS

The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of the data for 8 individuals with spinal hamartomas. The 8 patients had undergone both preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and went through surgery. Radiologic and pathologic criteria were applied to diagnose the spinal hamartomas. The Modified McCormick classification system was used to evaluate neurologic function in these patients.

RESULTS

Among the 8 patients, 6 were male and 2 were female, with an average age of 37.4 years. The typical duration of symptoms was 14.5 months. During surgery, all lesions were well-defined and located in the bone marrow. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 6 cases, and the anatomical plane was clearly delineated, and subtotal resection (STR) was achieved in 2 cases. None of the patients took postoperative radiotherapy. 14.5 months was the average follow-up period during this time, and MRI did not observe the recurrence or regeneration of residual tumors. The McCormick grade was improved in 7 patients and remained stable in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal hamartomas are benign, but they are clinically progressive lesions. Pathology is the basis of accurate diagnosis, and complete preoperative evaluation is crucial for providing suitable treatment and prognosis.

Sporadic Spinal Hamartoma in Adults: A Rare Pathologic Entity

BACKGROUND

Sporadic spinal hamartomas in adults are extremely rare tumor-like lesions, without defined guidelines of treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the peculiar features of this pathologic entity to support a more accurate diagnosis and management.

METHODS

A comprehensive and detailed literature review of sporadic spinal hamartomas in adults, including a personal case, was performed. Demographic (sex and age), clinical (presenting symptoms), radiologic and pathologic (size, localization, dural and spinal cord relationship of lesion) features, as well as treatment (time to surgery, extent of resection, perioperative and postoperative complications) and outcome (clinical) data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Seven studies, including 7 patients, were eligible for the review. A personal case was also added. Sporadic adult spinal hamartomas equally affect males and females, in a range of age from 18 to 75 years; sensory radicular deficits were detected in all patients at clinical onset; thoracic segment (4/8) of the spine and intradural compartment (6/8) were most involved. All patients underwent surgery and just one experimented postoperative complication; gross total resection was achieved in only 3 patients, mainly in an extradural localization; clinical improvement at last follow-up was reported in all but 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal hamartomas in adults may sometimes account for progressive worsening of neurologic symptoms and lead to potentially irreversible neurologic deficit; therefore, prompt and adequate diagnosis and treatment are mandatory. Surgical resection represents the only curative treatment and is indicated for symptomatic lesions to achieve neurologic symptoms restoration or arrest/prevent their progressive deterioration.

Congenital Midline Spinal Hamartoma in a 5-Month-Old Infant

BACKGROUND

Congenital midline spinal hamartoma is a very rare tumor-like proliferation that mostly occurs during childhood. It consists of mature, well-differentiated ectodermal and mesodermal elements that present in an abnormal location and are mostly associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 and spinal dysraphism.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 5-month-old male patient presented with complaint of a bump over the lower back. The bump was already present since birth with the size of approximately 3 cm in diameter and slow growth. There were no other associated symptoms besides the bump on the lower back. In the physical examination, we found a subcutaneous mass with associated skin dimple located on the midline of the lower back. Computed tomography scan of the spine showed a mass that arose from inside the dura and a closed spinal dysraphism from L3 vertebra to the sacrum. A subtotal resection was performed, and the histopathology feature showed fat cells, cartilage, skeletal muscle fibers, nerve, and blood vessel. After 6 months follow-up, no symptoms or neurologic deficit were present, and no further growth was shown on the latest computed tomography scan.

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital midline spinal hamartoma is very rare and seldom addressed. Most patients present with a cosmetic defect and rarely with associated symptoms. Tissue biopsy is still the best modality to definitively diagnose hamartoma and to exclude other diagnoses. Surgical excision of the tumor is still the mainstay treatment, especially for patients who are not neurologically intact and to correct the cosmetic skin defect.

Extradural Spinal Hamartoma Causing Spinal Cord Compression in an Adolescent Male: An Extremely Rare Case and Review of the Literature

Spinal hamartoma is an extremely rare, benign spinal lesion occurring in children. It may cause spinal cord compression and subsequent neurological deficits. On reviewing the literature, of a total of 20 cases, only 2 cases are reported in an adolescent age group. It may be a pure spinal hamartoma, or sometimes it may be associated with either neurofibromatosis type I or spinal dysraphism. MRI is the investigation of choice. Surgical excision of the lesion and the decompression of the cord are the definitive treatment. Here, we pre-sent a similar case in a 16-year-old adolescent male, its diagnosis and further management.