Primary xanthoma of thoracic spine presenting with myelopathy.

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.