Cervical-Thoracic Epidural Giant Cell Reparative Granuloma: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND

Giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) is a rare benign tumor. The jawbone is the most common site of occurrence, followed by sphenoid bone, craniofacial bone, hand and foot bones. The etiology of GCRG is unknown but may be related to an intraosseous hemorrhage following trauma. Despite its benign nature, it could be locally aggressive. To our knowledge, no spinal epidural GCRG case has been reported.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A case of man aged 32 years who presented with upper right limb numbness and weakness. Computed tomography showed a round soft tissue mass in the spinal canal at the C7-T1 level. The mass showed isointensity on T1-weighted images, hypointensity on T2-weighted images, and significant enhancement on postcontrast T1-weighted images. The mass localized in the epidural space and was surgically resected. The histologic diagnosis was consistent with GCRG.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal epidural GCRG is rare and is hardly considered in the differential diagnosis. Preoperative diagnosis of GCRG is challenging, and the definitive diagnosis could only be made by pathological examination. Surgical resection is probably an effective therapy for relief of symptoms.