Cervical osteochondroma: surgical planning

Osteochondromas are benign bone tumors which occur as solitary lesions or as part of the syndrome multiple hereditary exostoses. While most osteochondromas occur in the appendicular skeleton, they can also occur in the spine. Most lesions are asymptomatic however some may encroach on the spinal cord or the nerve roots causing neurological symptoms. While most patients with osteochondromas undergo laminectomy without fusion, laminectomy with fusion is indicated in appropriately selected cases of spinal decompression.

We present a case of a 32-year-old male with history of multiple hereditary exostoses who presented with symptoms of bilateral upper extremity numbness and complaints of gait imbalance and multiple falls. He reported rapid progression of his symptoms during the 10 days before presentation. Computed tomography of the cervical spine revealed a lobulated bony tumor along the inner margin of the cervical 4 lamina. He underwent cervical 3 and 4 laminectomies, partial cervical 2 and 5 laminectomies and cervical 3-5 mass screw placement. Pathology was consistent with osteochondroma. The patient's symptoms had markedly improved at follow-up.

According to our literature review, osteochondromas most commonly occur at cervical 2 and cervical 5. We present a case of an osteochondroma at a less common level, cervical 4. While most osteochondromas are addressed with laminectomy without arthrodesis, the decision of whether arthrodesis is necessary should be considered in all patients with osteochondroma as with any cervical decompression.