eISSN: 2471-0016

International Clinical Pathology Journal

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Received: January 01, 1970 | Published: ,

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Abstract

Giant cell tumours of the spine are rare entities. They are mainly seen in long bones. We report a patient with a giant cell tumour of D12 vertebrae which had undergone total en-bloc spondylectomy D11, D12, L1 vertebra and tumor. On histopathological examination, Hematoxylin and Eosin stained slides revealed giant cell tumour without any malignant changes.

Keywords: dorsal spine, giant cell tumour, vertebra, fine needle aspiration cytology, antitubercular treatment

Introduction

Giant cell tumour of bone accounts for 5% of primary bone tumours.¹It rarely arises in the spine. The incidence of giant cell tumour of mobile segment of spine accounts for 1-1.5% with an equal incidence in all three mobile segments of spine.²They tend to be found in individuals in third and fourth decade of life .Women are affected slightly more than men. They are aggressive with high degree of malignant potential and are also associated with high incidence of local recurrences.^3,4

Case report

A 35 year old female, presented with complaints of back pain since one year, difficulty while walking, and weakness and loss of sensation of bilateral lower limb since six weeks. She was investigated and started on Antitubercular treatment (ATT) for the same problem in the other hospital on the basis of MRI report which suggested Pott’s disease. Symptoms persisted even after completion of six months course of ATT. After two months, ATT was started again from local center without improvement in the symptoms. So, the patient presented to the hospital for the aggravation of symptoms. On examination, she had tenderness over lower dorsal region with muscle power of grade 2 in the right lower limb and grade 1 in the left lower limb. There was bilateral decreased sensation from T12 dermatome and below and complete loss of sensation from L4 dermatome and below. Previous diagnosis was challenged and Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the lesion was done. FNAC of the lesion revealed singly scattered round to ovoid cells with numerous osteoclastic giant cells suggestive of Giant cell lesion (Figure 1). On the basis of FNAC report, CT scan of dorsal spine was suggested which showed collapsed D12 vertebral body with the lytic lesion at vertebral body and bilateral pedicles. Patient had undergone total en-bloc spondylectomy D11, D12, L1 vertebra and tumor. Then, the specimen was sent for histopathological examination. On gross examination, multiple pieces of bony fragments along with soft tissue were received. On microscopy, prominent and diffuse osteoclastic giant cell component without any malignant changes were seen (Figure 2).

Figure 1 Singly scattered round to ovoid cells with numerous osteoclastic giant cells against hemorrhagic background (X40).

Figure 2 Giant cell tumour composed of round to ovoid cells in stroma with numerous multinucleated giant cells (X40).

Discussion

Giant cell tumours are rarely multicentric.⁵In the series of Savini, giant cell tumours of thoracic vertebra are very rare, being approximately 0.9%.⁶Common symptoms include back pain, neurological deficit due to compression of spinal cord, bladder and bowel dysfunction and a structural deformity of the spine.⁷ Gross pathologic appearance of the tumour is soft, friable and fleshy with presence of areas of fibrosis, hemorrhage and xanthomatous region. On microscopy, giant cell tumour contain a prominent and diffuse osteoclastic giant cell component and previously referred as osteoclastomas. Approximately, 10% of all giant cell tumours are malignant and they may metastasise to other organs.^8–10 Metastatic involvement in the large series of benign giant cell tumours generally ranged from 1-6%.¹⁰ Metastatic lesions occur mainly in the lungs.^11–14Solitary metastases to regional lymph nodes, the mediastinum and pelvis have also been reported.¹¹ There are various modalities of treatment recommended for spinal giant cell tumours such as surgery, radiotherapy, embolization, cryotherapy, cementation and chemical adjuvant like phenol or liquid nitrogen.⁷Total en bloc surgical excision is the treatment of choice in long bones as well as spine but is not always feasible in the spine due to the unacceptable risk of permanent neurological deficit.¹⁵

Conclusion

Giant cell tumour of thoracic vertebra is very rare. The best treatment is total excision. However, patients should be followed up carefully for lung metastasis and high recurrences.