Clinical features and surgical management of spinal osteoblastoma: a retrospective study in 18 cases

To investigate the clinical manifestation and surgical outcome of spinal osteoblastoma.

From June 2006 to July 2011, 18 patients with spinal osteoblastoma treated surgically were analyzed retrospectively. There were 11 males and 7 females with an average age of 27.5 years（range, 16-38 years). The tumors were located at C5 in 7, C6 in 6, C7 in 3, C6-T1 1 in 1 and T11 in 1. Based on WBB classification, 16 were 1-3 or 10-12 and 2 were 4-9 and 1-3. 18 operations had been performed with en bloc resection. A posterior approach was used for 16 patients, and a combined posterior and anterior approach was used for 2 patients. Reconstruction using instrumentation and fusion was performed using spinal instrumentation in 13 patients. We used visual analogue scales (VAS) to evaluate the change of pain before and after the operation, and the McCormick System to assess functional status of the spine. Imaging test was used to review the stability and recurrence rate of spine cord, and the confluence of graft bones.

All cases were followed up for 24-80 months (average, 38.4 months). The average surgical time was 120.8 minutes (range, 80-220 minutes), with the average intraoperative blood loss of 520 ml (range, 300-1200 ml). During the follow-up period, the VAS grade reduced from 6.46±1.32 to 2.26±1.05 (P <0.05). 15 patients had neurological function improved and 3 remained no change which was evaluated by McCormick scale for spinal function status at final follow-up.

Spinal osteoblastoma has its own specific radiographic features. There is some recurrence in simple curettage of tumor lesion. The thoroughly en bloc resection of tumor or spondylectomy, bone fusion and strong in Ter fixation are the key points for successful surgical treatment.