Enchondroma of the spine: a report of eleven cases

Abstract Purpose To explore clinical characteristics, surgical strategies, and prognosis of spinal enchondroma. Methods We retrospectively analyzed eleven cases with primary benign spinal enchondroma who were treated in our institution between January 2008 and December 2016. Results Of the 11 patients included in our study, the average age was 43 years(range from 5–66 years). There were 7 men and 4 women. The lesions were mainly located in the lumbar and thoracic column with 5 cases and 4 cases respectively, and following by the cervical and sacral vertebrae with both 1 cases. Total tumor resection was used in 10 cases and curettage in one case. The average follow-up was 3.3 years(range from 2 to 6 years). Most of the cases had achieved satisfied therapeutic outcome with the symptoms disappeared. However, Case 9 developed into local recurrence and a second surgery was performed. Although the lesion have not recured any more after the second operation during the follow-up, the lower extremity paralysis had no improvement. Case 2 was sent to our hospital for the recurrence of the sacral tumor which was very closed to the common iliac artery.When the second operation was conducted, the artery was ruptured and the patient died from hemorrhagic shock. Conclusion To establish the diagnosis of spinal enchondroma is not always a simple job for the absence of specific clinical characteristics. The optimal treatment is total resection. Although spinal enchondroma is benign, a few cases can develop into local recurrence. Sacral enchondroma should be more vigilant for its fatal complications.