Aggressive fibromatosis. A rare cause for lumbar bulging.

A 21-year-old male patient was treated for idiopathic scoliosis in a general orthopedic practice. Despite treatment a steady increase of lumbar bulging was noted. An extensive soft tissue tumor was found to be the cause of this. The tumor was resected locally at the orthopedic department and was found to be histologically an aggressive fascial fibromatosis. Radiologically the vertebral column showed hemihypertrophy of the pedicles and transverse processes of Th 10 through Th 12 on the ipsilateral side. Since the resection could not be considered radical, local radiation was applied with telecobalt (60 Gy focal doses). Three years later, there is no sign of local recurrence.