Introduction: We present a case of C6 mesenchymal chondrosarcoma and discuss safe posterior to anterior approach subtotal en-bloc spondylectomy.
Materials and methods: A 29-year-old male consulted for our department with severe posterior neck pain doing exercise. CT scan demonstrated a primary osteolytic lesion on C6 left transverse foramen and MRI demonstrated the tumor involved C6 vertebra from layers B, C and F sectors 4-6 encasing left vertebral artery. Preoperatively neurointerventional radiology service occluded the left vertebral artery and tumor feeding artery using coil embolization. Posterior approach consist of C5-C7 laminectomy, left sided C6 and C7 nerve root sacrifice, posterior disc removal and release of C5-6-7 and posterior reconstruction. Then, position was changed to supine, and the anterior approach was followed as C5-6, C6-7 discectomy, left vertebral artery ligation and cut, longus coli resection and C6 subtotal spondylectomy with en-bloc resection of mass, mesh cage insertion and C5-C7 anterior plate fixation. During operation, frozen biopsy was performed on 8 areas (longus coli, lateral margin, anteroinferior margin, posterior margin, posterosuperior margin, C5 transverse foramen, posteroinferior margin, inferior margin) after wide resection. Tumor free margin was confirmed.
Results: After operation, he complained of tingling sensation of left thumb and forearm medial side, and elbow extensor motor grade was checked to 4/5 postoperatively. In the followed-up radiograph, the tumor was completely removed, and the instability of joint was not seen. As a result of observing follow-up CT at a year after the surgery, recurrence findings have not been shown up to now, and the progression of neurologic symptoms has not been shown either.
Conclusion: Based on the Grand Round case and relevant literature, we discuss the case of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma occurring from the C6 cervical spine treated with cervical subtotal en-bloc spondylectomy. Successful en-bloc resection of the tumor was achieved using posterior to anterior approach.
Keywords: Cervical spine tumor; Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma; Subtotal en-bloc spondylectomy.