Extraosseous extension of vertebral hemangioma, a rare cause of spinal cord compression.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case report.

OBJECTIVE

To illustrate a rare cause of thoracic spinal cord compression, its diagnosis, and its management.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Asymptomatic vertebral hemangiomas are common, but extraosseous extension causing spinal cord compression with neurologic symptoms is rare, and few cases appear in the English-language literature.

METHOD: A previously asymptomatic 63-year-old man sought medical attention for acute back pain and thoracic myelopathy of 6 week's duration. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a mass in the T10 vertebral body with paravertebral and intracanalicular extension contributing to cord compression. Decompression and reconstructive surgery were performed and radiotherapy administered after surgery. Preoperative angiography was not performed because of the patient's rapidly progressive neurologic deterioration and the consideration that the differential diagnosis of vertebral hemangioma was less likely.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of benign capillary hemangioma was made histologically. Neurologic recovery was complete except for minor residual sensory changes in the legs. At follow-up 10 months after surgery the patient had returned to his usual active life and motor mower repairing business.

CONCLUSION

Extraosseous extension of vertebral hemangiomas is a rare cause of thoracic spinal cord compression. As such, the available data are derived from reports based on series involving only a small number of cases, rather than on results of randomized controlled trials. Those causing progressive neurologic symptoms should be surgically decompressed, with the specific procedure determined by the extent and site of the lesion. Preoperative angiography is recommended, but embolization is not always necessary or even possible. Postoperative radiotherapy is recommended when tumor removal is subtotal.