Giant-cell tumor of the rib cage extending to the spine : Case report

Purpose: We present the case of a patient with a giant cell tumor of the thoracic wall that invaded the thoracic spine. Material and methods: A giant cell tumor that affects the spine and the thoracic wall is very rare but can grow to a large size. We report a case of giant cell tumor of the left chest wall extending to the thoracic spine in a 28-year-old man. Positron emission tomography (PET) showed a tumor of 11 × 4 × 13 cm in size and the histopathology specimen of the first surgical procedure diagnosed a giant cell tumor. The tumor was treated by oblique osteotomy guided with pedicle wires. Results: A giant cell tumor was histologically confirmed following radical surgery. After 1 year of follow-up the patient was asymptomatic. There has been no recurrence of the tumor. Conclusion: The use of transpedicular Kirschner wires could be a good technical support for transpedicular oblique sagittal osteotomy.