Document 0368
 DOCN  M9650368
 TI    Primary xanthoma of thoracic spine presenting with myelopathy.
 DT    9605
 AU    Robertson DP; Langford LA; McCutcheon IE; Department of Neurosurgery,
       University of Texas M. D. Anderson; Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
 SO    Spine. 1995 Sep 1;20(17):1933-7. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96060156
 AB    STUDY DESIGN. This retrospective case study reports on a patient with an
       isolated primary xanthoma arising in the second thoracic vertebra with
       paravertebral and spinal canal extension. OBJECTIVE. The possibility of
       this lesion's occurrence in the spine is presented with radiologic and
       pathologic findings appropriate for the diagnosis of spinal xanthoma.
       SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA. Primary xanthoma of bone is an extremely
       rare but benign entity. It has not been previously described in this
       location, and has been described only once in the spine at all. METHODS.
       The mass was resected by curettage, and posterior instrumentation was
       successfully performed. Preoperative radiographs and magnetic resonance
       imaging of the thoracic spine were performed, as was histologic
       examination of the lesion. RESULTS. Radiographs of the upper thoracic
       spine revealed a lytic defect. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a
       heterogeneous lesion that was enhanced upon the administration of
       gadolinium-diethylenetriaminetetraacetic acid. Histologic examination
       revealed a cellular lesion consisting of lipid-laden macrophages,
       fibroblasts, and scattered Touton giant cells. These features correspond
       to descriptions of primary xanthoma of bone. Two years after surgery,
       the patient was neurologically intact with no evidence the lesion would
       recur. CONCLUSIONS. Primary xanthoma of bone is considered a benign
       lesion and can be successfully treated by local resection without
       adjuvant therapy. It should be considered part of the differential
       diagnosis of a mass lesion, with appropriate signal characteristics
       presenting in a thoracic vertebra.
 DE    Adult  Case Report  Diagnosis, Differential  Human  Male  Paraparesis,
       Tropical Spastic/DIAGNOSIS/*ETIOLOGY/SURGERY  Spinal
       Diseases/COMPLICATIONS/DIAGNOSIS/SURGERY  *Thoracic Vertebrae/SURGERY
       Xanthomatosis/*COMPLICATIONS/DIAGNOSIS/SURGERY  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).