Cervical spine giant cell tumour

Case contributed by Tariq Walizai
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Gradually increasing cervical swelling with pain and discomfort.

Patient Data

Age: 27 years
Gender: Male

There is an ill-defined, destructive, bony lesion in the cervical spine which is centred on C4 and C5 vertebrae. Associated soft tissue component of the mass lesion is also seen which is extending into the perivertebral space, bilateral carotid spaces (more marked on left side with a large cystic component of about 7.1 x 7.1 cm which is causing bulge of the overlying skin), retropharyngeal spaces and antero-superior mediastinum. Soft tissue component is also extending into the epidural space as well. The mass lesion is closely abutting oesophagus and left-sided mandible angle anteriorly and encasing left common carotid artery (without evidence of luminal narrowing or thrombus formation) and displacing left lobe of the thyroid gland anteriorly without any invasion. Left internal jugular vein is not visualised which is most likely thrombosed.

Rest of the visualised structure at the neck region are within normal limits.

Case Discussion

CT findings are of malignant bony lesion of the cervical spine with associated soft tissue component, extensions and relations to the surrounding organs as described above which confirmed by biopsy as a giant cell tumour.

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