[Giant cell tumor of the lumbar spine. Case report and review of the literature]

Abstract

We report the case of a 32-year-old patient complaining of chronic low back pain radiating to his left thigh. His MRI showed a lytic L1 vertebral body injury. A transpedicular biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of giant cell tumor. He underwent a L1 vertebrectomy and vertebral body replacement with a titanium cylinder using anterior approach, followed by the removal of the L1 posterior arch and the placement of pedicle screws through a posterior approach. The giant cell tumor is a rare benign primary bone tumor that can be locally aggressive and can potentially spread to other areas, usually to the lungs. Although it most frequently affects long bones, approximately 10% of tumors are located in the spine. To minimise the risk of recurrence, the elective management option is surgery.

Keywords: Dolor lumbar; En bloc spondylectomy; Estadificación tumoral; Giant cell tumor; Instrumentación raquis; Low back pain; Neoplasm staging; Primary bone tumors; Spinal instrumentation; Tumor de células gigantes; Tumores óseos primarios; Vertebrectomía en bloque.