Thoracolumbopelvic stabilization for the treatment of instability caused by recurrent myxopapillary ependymoma

J Spinal Disord Tech. 2003 Feb;16(1):108-11. doi: 10.1097/00024720-200302000-00018.

Abstract

The authors report a patient with recurrent lumbosacral myxopapillary ependymoma, followed for more than 20 years, who presented with severe axial pain resulting from osteolytic destruction at the lumbosacral junction. Because the patient had a long history of paraplegia despite three previous incomplete tumor resections, we chose not to attempt a fourth resection. Moreover, because viable fixation points were not present within the sacrum and most of the lumbar spine, instrumented fusion was extended from T7 to the ilia using a modified Galveston L-rod technique, which we believe to be unique in its application to this problem. This case demonstrates the long-term potential for instability from locally destructive myxopapillary ependymoma that is incompletely excised. We are not aware of any previous reports of lumbopelvic instability in association with myxopapillary ependymomas.

MeSH terms

  • Ependymoma / complications*
  • Ependymoma / diagnosis
  • Ependymoma / radiotherapy
  • Ependymoma / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ilium / surgery
  • Joint Instability / diagnosis
  • Joint Instability / etiology
  • Joint Instability / surgery*
  • Lumbosacral Region / surgery*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / complications*
  • Pelvis / surgery
  • Spinal Fusion / methods*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Spinal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Spinal Neoplasms / surgery