Year: 1998
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: We treated a 61-year-old man with metastatic lesions in the first and second thoracic vertebrae. The histological diagnosis was papillary-type thyroid carcinoma. Before resection of the tumor, external fixation with a halo vest and posterior fixation with titanium rods was carried out. An oblique skin incision was made along the anterior border of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle to the sternal notch, and continued along the midline of the sternum. After sternotomy, the right common carotid artery, trachea, esophagus, bracheocephalic vein and aortic arch were retracted. This process permits exposure from the seventh cervical vertebra to the upper border of the third thoracic vertebra. When removing the tumor, bleeding occured easily, and exposure of the third thoracic vertebra was limited. Gross total removal of the tumor and iliac bone autograft were performed, but the bone graft was deviated to the right because of the inadequate exposure of the vertebra. However, the patient was ambulatory at the time of discharge. We conclude that adequate tumor removal and stabilization should be performed for patients with spinal metastasis if there is a possibility that it will improve their quality of life.
Source: Spinal Surgery
Authors: Kenta Fujimoto, Hideaki Iwanaga, Naoki Koshimae, Masaaki Kakiuchi, Ryosuke Matsuwaka
Institution: Osaka Police Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W67337736