Unusual presentation of osteoblastoma in a patient with idiopathic scoliosis after posterior spinal fusion.

Abstract

BACKGROUND CONTEXT:

Few studies have described the diagnosis of osteoblastoma of the spine as a cause of scoliosis. These reports have described the tumor in conjunction with initial presentation of painful scoliosis. This case report presents a case of osteoblastoma 9 years removed from diagnosis and fusion of idiopathic scoliosis in the thoracic spine.

PURPOSE:

To report the late presentation of an osteoblastoma of the thoracic spine 9 years after posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN:

Case report.

METHODS:

A 25-year-old man presented with thoracolumbar back pain and progressive neurological deficit 9 years after posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine indicated the presence of a mass in the spinal canal causing cord compression. The patient underwent decompression with resection of the mass which was found to be an aggressive osteoblastoma.

RESULTS:

The patient enjoyed a full neurological recovery and has subsequently developed a recurrence at 13 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

We present osteoblastoma as a possible cause of low back pain and neurological deficit postfusion that should be considered in a differential diagnosis.

• Authors: Andrew G Todd, Purnendu Gupta
• Journal: The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society (Spine J) 2006 Nov-Dec Vol. 6 Issue 6 Pg. 704-7 ISSN: 1529-9430 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17088201 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Abscess (etiology)
• Adult
• Bone Neoplasms (complications, pathology, surgery)
• Decompression, Surgical
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Humans
• Low Back Pain (etiology)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Osteoblastoma (complications, pathology, surgery)
• Postoperative Complications
• Scoliosis (surgery)
• Spinal Fusion
• Thoracic Vertebrae (pathology)