Multifocal giant cell tumors in the spine. A case report

Tumor de células gigantes espinal en niños. Reporte de dos casos. [Spinal giant cell tumor in children. Report of two cases]

El tumor de células gigantes espinal es una neoplasia de estirpe benigna y comportamiento local agresivo, de presentación rara en la población pediátrica. El dolor asociado al compromiso neurológico es la presentación típica en niños. La resección amplia del tumor y la descompresión de los elementos neurales asociada a fusión instrumentada permiten obtener una columna estable, preservar o restaurar la función neural y evitar la recidiva tumoral. Se presentan dos pacientes con tumor de células gigantes espinal en esqueleto inmaduro, sometidos a resección y estabilización mediante artrodesis instrumentada, sin recidiva en el posoperatorio alejado. La presentación clínica, la edad de los pacientes y los resultados quirúrgicos a largo plazo hacen de extremo valor el reporte de estos casos en esqueletos inmaduros.

Synchronous Multicentric Giant Cell Tumour of Distal Radius and Sacrum with Pulmonary Metastases

Giant cell tumour (GCT) is an uncommon primary bone tumour, and its multicentric presentation is exceedingly rare. We report a case of a 45-year-old female who presented to us with GCT of left distal radius. On the skeletal survey, osteolytic lesion was noted in her right sacral ala. Biopsy confirmed both lesions as GCT. Pulmonary metastasis was also present. Resection-reconstruction arthroplasty for distal radius and thorough curettage and bone grafting of the sacral lesion were done. Multicentric GCT involving distal radius and sacrum with primary sacral involvement is not reported so far to our knowledge.

Giant cell tumor of the frontal sinus: case report

The authors report the case of a giant cell tumor of the frontal sinus in a 54-year-old male patient. This tumor location is rare, and this is the third case reported in the literature with radiographic documentation and histopathological confirmation. The patient underwent surgery, with curettage of frontal sinus and placement of a prosthesis. He died because a voluntary abrupt discontinuation of corticosteroids.

The rare case of giant cell tumor occuring in the axial skeleton after 15 years of follow-up: Case report

The majority of giant cell tumors (GCTs) occur in the ends of the long bones. The presence of more than one GCT in the axial skeleton is rare. A GCT is capable of remaining clinically latent following treatment and becoming active a number of years later. We report an extremely rare case of GCT occurring in the axial skeleton, involving the sacrum, thoracic spine and parieto-occipital skull in more than 15 years of follow-up.

Giant cell tumor of the mobile spine: a review of 49 cases

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective review of 49 cases of giant cell tumor (GCT) of the mobile spine treated surgically.

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to determine which factors influenced local recurrence.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

GCT is a benign, locally aggressive tumor that rarely occurs in the spine. The management of local recurrence can be challenging.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of GCTs of the mobile spine managed between 1970 and 2005. Median follow-up was 145 months with a minimum of 2 years or until death. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to test whether Enneking stage, surgery type, and surgical margin had statistically significant impact on local recurrence. The log rank test was used for comparison, and a P value of less than 0.05 was deemed significant.

RESULTS

Of the 49 patients, 11 (22%) local recurrences occurred. The latest recurrence occurred at 60 months. Age less than 25 years was associated with a worse relapse-free survival (P = 0.03). En bloc resection was associated with better local control with Enneking stage III tumors (P = 0.01); however, intralesional resection provided adequate control of Enneking stage II tumors. There were 6 (12%) cases of metastasis, and 2 patients died from the progression of their disease. One patient died from the complications of the surgery.

CONCLUSION

En bloc resection should be considered for Enneking stage III GCTs of the mobile spine. The choice of en bloc resection must be balanced with the inherent risks of the procedure. Intralesional resection of Enneking stage II tumors provides adequate local control. Patients should be followed for at least 5 years because local relapse can occur late.

Giant cells tumor recurrence at the third lumbar vertebra

Giant cell tumors (GCT) of the spine are rare. We report a case of (GCT) of the third lumbar vertebra revealed by left lumbar radiculopathic thigh pain in a 47 year old man. Imaging showed an osteolytic process invading the vertebral body, the posterior arch and compressing the dural sac left side. Neurological decompression was first performed including stabilization by an instrumented postero-lateral graft. A surgical biopsy was obtained at the same time to confirm the diagnosis. A secondary L2-L4 tumor curettage and graft procedure did not prevent, 5 years later, tumor recurrence. We believe that the simple tumor curettage is insufficient to prevent giant cell tumors recurrence.

Interferon alfa-2b for recurrent and metastatic giant cell tumor of the spine: report of two cases

STUDY DESIGN

Case report.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate that interferon alfa-2b is a therapeutic option for obtaining long-term control of recurrent and metastatic giant cell tumor of spine.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Interferon alfa served as angiogenesis inhibitor and has been successfully used to treat giant cell tumor of long bones and facial bones. Up to date, no report is found with regard to the use of interferon as a stand-alone treatment for unresectable, recurrent, and metastatic giant cell tumor originated from the spine.

METHODS

A 29-year-old woman with C1 and C2 giant cell tumor was treated by radiotherapy, intralesional curet, and chemotherapy orderly. Tumor recurred after 2 years. A second curet was undertaken. Tumor recurred second time and caused severe spinal cord compression. Lung metastasis was diagnosed simultaneously. A 24-year-old man with recurrent giant cell tumor of T5 and T6 was treated by spondylectomy of T5 and T6. Six months later, a giant metastatic lesion was found in sacrococcygeal region, which was excised and proved to be giant cell tumor of bone. Four months later, 2 recurrent lesions were found beside the rectum. Interferon alfa-2b at a dose of 3,000,000 U/m was then administered subcutaneously everyday for both patients for 3.5 and 3 years, respectively.

RESULTS

No major complications related to the use of interferon occurred. The lesion in C1-C2 of the first patient regressed steadily and was restricted and encircled within the lateral mass. The metastatic lesions in the lungs also significantly reduced. The pararectal lesions of the second patient disappeared completely.

CONCLUSION

Interferon therapy may be an effective and safe treatment for spine giant cell tumor recurrence and metastasis in soft tissue. The effectiveness may be time and dosage dependent.

Postembolization paralysis in a man with a thoracolumbar giant cell tumor

Giant cell tumors are hypervascular tumors that represent approximately 5% of all primary bone neoplasms. Vertebral tumors often require surgery to maintain spinal stability or to relieve spinal cord and nerve root compression. However, surgical resection of hypervascular tumors like giant cell tumors can be hazardous because of the risk of excessive intraoperative hemorrhage. Preoperative embolization can be useful to decrease perioperative blood loss in primary and metastatic vertebral tumors, and preoperative embolization for vertebral tumor surgery is relatively safe. We report a patient who had the unusual but serious complications of paralysis and paresthesia at the T12 vertebra and below as a result of preoperative embolization. At 6 months followup, the patient was disease-free but without neurologic function from T12 and below. Therefore, it is imperative physicians be aware of the possible preoperative embolization complication of cord infarction and the safety measures proposed in this article to avoid this complication.

Giant cell tumor: a case report of recurrence during pregnancy

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive.

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of a recurrent giant cell tumor (GCT) of the lumbar spine during pregnancy.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

GCT is a locally aggressive tumor that primarily occurs in young female adults. These tumors rarely present in the spine, recur locally, and may be present during pregnancy because of growth promoting receptors.

METHODS

A 31-year-old pregnant woman presented to us from Europe at 24 weeks' gestation (G1P1) with severe back pain and an enlarging mass. A large, firm, nontender mass was palpable in the right upper quadrant. Radiographs of the lumbar spine were obtained and revealed a 10-cm x 8 cm x 15 cm expansive bony mass at L2 with vertebral body collapse and junctional kyphosis. Following delivery of a healthy 6 lb. 8 oz. baby, MRI, CT, and full-length standing radiographs were obtained. A needle-guided biopsy showed amorphous bone with numerous giant cells consistent with a GCT. At 6 weeks postpartum, the tumor was resected.

RESULTS

At 1-year follow-up, there is no evidence of local reoccurrence and the patient is without constitutional symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This is an unusual presentation of an expanding intra-abdominal mass originating from the lumbar spine during pregnancy. It most likely represents rapid growth of a previous unrecognized recurrence of a GCT. Close observation and follow-up CT scanning are imperative to identify and treat GCTs of the spine before rapid growth occurs.

Giant cell tumor of the sacrum

Giant cell tumor (GCT) is a locally highly aggressive tumor of bone comprising 5 to 10% of all benign bone tumors. The sacrum is the third most common site of involvement. Patients with sacral GCTs present with localized pain in the lower back that may radiate to one or both lower limbs. Vague abdominal complaints and bowel and bladder symptoms may also be present. Neuroimaging workup should include advanced modalities, preferably magnetic resonance imaging, prior to obtaining a biopsy specimen. Giant cell tumor has a 1 to 5% rate of metastasizing to the lung and may convert to a fulminate malignant variant, which has a very poor prognosis. The standard treatment for GCT is curettage combined with adjuvant bone grafting or cement-augmented stabilization. In appropriately selected cases, sacral resection is a valuable procedure to effect local tumor control and overall survival. Embolization may also prove palliative and/or curative in cases in which the tumor is unresectable or refractory to treatment.