Giant-cell reparative granuloma of the thoracic vertebra

Giant-cell reparative granuloma occurring in the thoracic vertebra of a 16-year-old girl is presented, and the literature concerning the subject is reviewed. This report is of the second documented case with this essentially rare lesion arising in the vertebra. Microscopically, the lesion was characterized by a reactive granulation tissue with formation of reactive osteoid, collagenization and vascularization, and focal accumulations of giant cells, particularly around hemorrhagic portions. The patient is doing well without further recurrence 38 months after the second therapeutic curettage. The authors describe the clinicopathologic features of this particular case because of its rarity in location, and briefly discuss the difference from other giant-cell lesions of bone mainly in view of differential diagnosis.