Chondromyxoid fibroma of the seventh cervical vertebra

Abstract

Chondromyxoid fibroma is a rare benign bone tumor representing less than 0.5% of all bone tumors. It commonly involves the long tubular bones. Involvement of the spine is rare. A 35-year-old man presented with history of neck pain, restriction of neck movements, pain and numbness along the medial aspect of the left forearm and weakness with wasting of the left hand. A presumptive diagnosis of a bony tumor such as an aneurysmal bone cyst or a giant cell tumor involving the seventh vertebral body was made on plain X-rays, MRI and bone scan. He underwent C7 central corpectomy, incomplete intralesional curettage with iliac bone grafting and C6 to T1 interspinous wiring. The histological diagnosis was chondromyxoid fibroma. On eight years' follow-up, CT scan showed no progression of the tumor with good alignment and fusion of the graft at the site of the corpectomy. The authors conclude that corpectomy and iliac bone grafting for chondromyxoid fibroma has a good outcome on long-term follow-up.

Chondromyxoid Fibroma of Two Cervical Vertebrae with Involvement of Surrounding Soft Tissue: Radiologic Diagnostic Dilemma

“…Although the radiological findings were not diagnostic for CMF, it originated from the lamina and spinous processes of the cervical bones and extended into the adjacent soft tissue. Spinal CMF was first reported by Benson and Bass ( 1 ). Radiological features are not characteristic, but may present as a lobulated, eccentric radiolucent lesion with no periosteal reaction, and in all of the patients, geographic bone destruction is visible.…”

“…Most of the CMFs are located in the metaphyseal region of the long bones. One third of them forms in the tibia, small tubular bones of foot, and the distal femur and pelvis ( 1 - 12 ). CMFs in the vertebral columns are rare, especially in the cervical region and related soft tissue vicinity.…”

“…Furthermore, it usually appears as an eccentric, oval shape lesion. In small bones, a CMF may involve the diaphysis, metaphysis, and epiphysis ( 1 ). The preferred imaging study is conventional radiography with its specific characteristics composed of a bubbly cystic appearance, but a computed tomography (CT) scan displays a sclerotic calcification margin and trabeculation better than conventional radiography ( 11 ).…”

“…Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is a rare benign cartilaginous neoplasm, and it accounts for less than 1% of all bone tumors. There is no gender predilection, but in some of the published case series, a male tendency has been reported ( 1 - 10 ). It occurs mainly in the second and third decades, and the majority occurs before the age of 30 years ( 2 ).…”

“…In general, CMFs originate from the metaphyseal region of the long bones. Literature reviews have shown that CMF is very rare in the cervical region, and only less than 11 cases have been reported up to now ( 1 , 5 - 8 ). CMF of the cervical spine may present with unusual radiological findings and pose a diagnostic dilemma; therefore, we first report our case and then briefly discuss its radiological, histopathological and clinical characteristics.…”