Journal of Orthopaedic Association of South Indian States

CASE REPORT
Year
: 2022  |  Volume : 19  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 88--91

Osteochondroma of the dorsal spine presenting as thoracic myelopathy: A rare case report


HD Bharath1, R Krishnakumar1, Suranjana Ravi2 
1 Department of Spine Surgery, Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi, Kerala, India
2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Soundarapandian Bone and Joint Hospital and Research Institute Private Limited, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Correspondence Address:
R Krishnakumar
Department of Spine Surgery, Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi, Kerala
India

Osteochondroma is commonly found in the appendicular skeleton, though, relatively rarely, they occur in the spine, especially in the thoracic pedicle. A thorough radiographic workup is mandatory for a diagnosis. This is a case of a 13-year-old boy who developed gradual weakness over the lower limbs for the past 6 months, which worsened rapidly to 2/5 motor power over the last 3 weeks. A multidetector computed tomography suggested the diagnosis of a solitary osteochondroma of the D6 pedicle. Laminectomy and costotransversectomy with partial facetectomy and complete excision of the tumor with posterior instrumentation were done. Histopathological biopsy confirmed the tumor to be an osteochondroma. The power of the lower limbs improved postoperatively with physiotherapy to 3/5 at 6 weeks, 4/5 at 3-month follow-up, and 5/5 at 6-month follow-up. At 6-year follow-up, the patient is doing absolutely fine without any residual weakness or neurological deficit. Osteochondroma of the spine is rare. However, if they do occur, they usually need to be thoroughly investigated for accurate diagnosis and precise surgical treatment. These tumors could be presented with just a back pain or with progressing neurological deficits. A high index of suspicion and wide options of evaluation and management could change the course of the disease and the functional outcome of the patient.


How to cite this article:
Bharath H D, Krishnakumar R, Ravi S. Osteochondroma of the dorsal spine presenting as thoracic myelopathy: A rare case report.J Orthop Assoc South Indian States 2022;19:88-91


How to cite this URL:
Bharath H D, Krishnakumar R, Ravi S. Osteochondroma of the dorsal spine presenting as thoracic myelopathy: A rare case report. J Orthop Assoc South Indian States [serial online] 2022 [cited 2023 May 31 ];19:88-91
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