Surgical management of an osteoblastoma involving the entire C2 vertebra and a review of literature.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical management of an osteoblastoma involving the entire C2 vertebra. A 14-year-old girl presented with unbearable neck pain. Her medical history was unremarkable. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed lytic and osteoblastic bone lesions involving the entire C2 vertebra. The tumor was resected in two stages with vertebral artery mobilization. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteoblastoma. The pain resolved postoperatively, and the patient had no further complaints. Sufficient fusion formation and no tumor recurrence with no complaints were seen in postoperatively 4 years. Marginal resection remains the best treatment for osteoblastoma of the spine. If tumor tissue surrounds the vertebral artery, the vertebral artery should be mobilized and the surrounding tumor mass excised.