Primary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the lumbar spine.

Abstract

Primary epitheliod hemangioendotheliomas of the lumbar spine are extremely rare tumors with an unpredictable clinical course. To present a case of primary lumbar epithelioid hemangioendothelioma and its treatment protocol. A tertiary Spinal Unit. A previously healthy adult with persisting low back pain and neurologic deficit. The diagnosis was confirmed by core needle biopsy. The patient was treated with preoperative embolization followed by staged surgery which included wide tumor resection and spinal fixation, using a cage system and a titanium plate anteriorly and a transpedicular fixation system posteriorly. Three years postoperatively the patient remains free of symptoms with no evidence of recurrence. The treatment of these unpredictable tumors should be dictated by adherence to general oncologic principles.