[Chondromyxoid fibroma of the cervical spine. Apropos of a case treated by partial vertebrectomy]

Abstract

A case of chondromyxoid fibroma revelated by cervicalgias and involving the right part of the 5th cervical vertebra is reported. This uncommon cartilaginous tumor is usually described in the metaphysis of long bones and appears very rare in the spine. If radiological aspects have been reported, the majors series do not describe a typical appearance of vertebral lesions; our patient is one of the first to have been evaluated by CT scan. Chondromyxoid fibromas are benign tumors, but recurrence is possible especially when treated by curettage alone. In our case, operated on two stages, the resection seemed sufficiently large and CT control on the 10th month did not show evidence of recurrence. Clinical and radiologic findings, and surgical management of these vertebral tumors are discussed.