Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath arising from a membrane surrounding the posterior arch of C1: a case report.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a common, benign lesion of the synovial membrane that occurs more often in large joints than in digits. Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath rarely arises in close proximity to the axial skeleton.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to report a rare case of GCTTS arising from the membrane surrounding the posterior arch of the atlas (C1).

STUDY DESIGN/

SETTING

This is a case report.

METHODS

The methods involve clinical findings and review of current literature.

RESULTS

In this report, we describe a rare case of GCTTS arising from the membrane surrounding the posterior arch of C1, with no apparent continuity with the facet joint. Here we show the radiographic features, with particular emphasis on positron emission tomography-computerized tomography scans, which have not been previously reported.

CONCLUSIONS

We experienced an extremely rare case of GCTTS arising from the membrane surrounding the posterior arch of the C1 vertebra. In spite of the rarity of this disease, GCTTS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the axial skeletal lesion. Awareness of GCTTS is important because its radiographic features may simulate other neoplastic lesions in the spine.