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Updated: Dec 14, 2025
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Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
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Primary Extramedullary, Extradural Cervical Spine Seminoma
Charles Long1, Thomas A Novack, Stuart Changoor
1From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Joseph's University Medical Center, Paterson, NJ.
Summary
Extragonadal seminomas rarely cause spinal cord compression. This case highlights successful surgical decompression, chemotherapy, and spinal instrumentation for a primary cervical spine seminoma, with no recurrence at 24 months.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Spinal Surgery
- Medical Oncology
Background:
- Extragonadal seminomas are rare tumors.
- Spinal cord compression secondary to extragonadal seminomas is exceptionally uncommon.
- Standard treatment typically involves surgical decompression and radiation therapy.
Observation:
- A 38-year-old male presented with axial neck and thoracic wall pain.
- Diagnostic workup revealed a primary cervical spine seminoma.
- The patient underwent C6-T1 laminectomy with posterior spinal instrumentation (C5-T2).
Findings:
- Post-operative chemotherapy included cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin.
- At 24-month follow-up, the patient remains asymptomatic.
- No evidence of recurrent disease was detected.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates a successful multimodal treatment approach for primary spinal seminoma.
- Surgical intervention combined with chemotherapy offers a viable option for managing spinal cord compression from these rare tumors.
- Further research into optimal treatment strategies for extragonadal spinal seminomas is warranted.
