Surgical management of giant cell tumor of axis vertebra: review of fourteen cases in literature with a case illustration

Abstract

Abstract Primary spinal giant cell tumor (PSGCT) considered as rare primary neoplasm, with predilection for subarticular location and commonly located at knee joint region, sacrum or distal radius, however, spinal involvent is uncommon and comparatively much rarer in the cervical spine. Further occurrence of giant cell tumor in the Axis vertebra is extremely uncommon and easily misdiagnosed and, thus, treatment is still debated and various treatment modalities and different surgical approaches were utilized during evolution of surgical management. Authors could collect only 14 cases of primary giant cell tumor affecting Axis vertebra in a detailed Pubmed and Medline search, out of which 12 cases were primary and rest two case was recurrent. So authors reviewed in total thirteen cases primary giant cell tumor of Axis managed surgically, including our case. Out of 13 PSGCT, twelve cases were managed with surgical resection and the rest one case was managed with monoclonal antibody using Denosomab monotherapy without any surgical intervention. In the surgical group (n=12), nine cases had two staged surgical procedure, first being posterior fixation followed by anterior approach with resection of tumor while, the rest three had one stage surgical resection including current case. Authors reports a unique case of spinal giant cell tumor developing in a- 38 - year male with history of renal transplant, presented with neck pain and difficulty in walking, neuroimaging revealed a osteolytic mass lesion involving body of axis vertebra with extension into right sided lamina, underwent two stage complete surgical intervention. Authors describes management of such rare locally recurring primary bony pathology affecting axis vertebra as it is not only interesting and challenging and different management modalities, various, surgical approaches and issue of renal osteodystrophy along with pertinent literature is also reviewed briefly.