Osteoblastoma of cervical spine causing an unusual neck pain

M. Uccello, M. Vacante, M. Giordano, M. Malaguarnera, A. Biondi, F. Basile, G. Malaguarnera, M. Pennisi, M. Motta

Research Center “The Great Senescence”, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. marcovacante@yahoo.it

Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

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• Oncology

Osteoblastoma is a rare benign tumor of bone that accounts for approximately 1% of primary skeletal neoplasms, with around 90% of cases diagnosed in the second and third decades of life. Cervical spine is an usual localization of osteoblastoma. The main clinical manifestation in case of cervical spine location is a progressive and resistant pain, possibly accompanied by stiffness, scoliosis or other ailments, including severe neurological deficits. Owing to a non-specific clinical presentation of osteoblastoma, the delay in diagnosis is common. Osteoblastomas may have an aggressive behavior, tend to enlarge and damage the bone and adjacent structures.

The treatment of choice is, therefore, a wide and complete surgical excision of the lesion in order to achieve full recovery and prevent recurrence or, in some cases, malignant transformation. In the case of persistent neck pain, not readily relieved by aspirin and possibly accompanied by stiffness, scoliosis or neurological deficits, especially in young subjects, osteoblastoma of cervical spine may be one of the diagnostic options to be considered, in order to avoid delay in diagnosis. We report the case of a 41-year-old male affected by cervical spine osteoblastoma causing a lasting neck pain.

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