Cellular myxoma of the lumbar spine

Cellular myxoma is a histopathologically distinctive benign neoplasm, which has often been categorized among the broad category of benign mesenchymal tumors with myxoid stroma and fibroblast- and/or myofibroblast-like cells. These tumors can arise in any of the large muscles and are usually found in the thigh, shoulder, buttocks, and upper arm, and more rarely in the head and neck or in small muscles of the hand.

Here we illustrate the case of a 57-year-old female with a spinal lesion, who initially presented with complaints of vague pelvic discomfort but no focal neurological deficits. Imaging revealed a sharply demarcated paraspinal lesion concerning for a tumorous growth. The lesion was excised in toto and a detailed immuno-histopathological analysis was performed revealing the diagnosis of a cellular myxoma. Postoperative imaging showed a gross total resection and the patient is under clinical surveillance since, with no signs of recurrence after 42 months.

Although very rare, this entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any spinal and paraspinal mass to allow for adequate treatment, which requires wide excision with clean margins to avoid any local recurrence.