T H Schwartz1, H Hibshoosh, C J Riedel. 1. Department of Neurological Surgery, The Neurological Institute of New York, New York Presbyterian Medical Center, 10032, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Pregnancy-related vertebral hemangioma compressive myelopathy is a rare occurrence that tends to arise in the upper thoracic and lower cervical spine, peaks during the third trimester, and remits after parturition. Whether corticosteroid receptors play a role in the pathogenesis of these lesions is unknown. Most of these lesions have been managed with posterior decompression. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old woman presented with acute-onset lower-extremity weakness and sensory loss immediately after parturition. INTERVENTION: We used a retropleural approach for anterior decompression and fusion, followed by radiation therapy. Immunohistochemical analysis of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression was performed. CONCLUSION: We report an unusual case of lower thoracic postpartum vertebral hemangioma compressive myelopathy caused by a parturition-related compression fracture. Results of tests for corticosteroid receptors were negative, which implicated a hemodynamic rather than hormonal cause for disease progression.
OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Pregnancy-related vertebral hemangioma compressive myelopathy is a rare occurrence that tends to arise in the upper thoracic and lower cervical spine, peaks during the third trimester, and remits after parturition. Whether corticosteroid receptors play a role in the pathogenesis of these lesions is unknown. Most of these lesions have been managed with posterior decompression. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old woman presented with acute-onset lower-extremity weakness and sensory loss immediately after parturition. INTERVENTION: We used a retropleural approach for anterior decompression and fusion, followed by radiation therapy. Immunohistochemical analysis of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression was performed. CONCLUSION: We report an unusual case of lower thoracic postpartum vertebral hemangioma compressive myelopathy caused by a parturition-related compression fracture. Results of tests for corticosteroid receptors were negative, which implicated a hemodynamic rather than hormonal cause for disease progression.
Authors: Andreas F Mavrogenis; Giuseppe Rossi; Teresa Calabrò; Guglielmo Altimari; Eugenio Rimondi; Pietro Ruggieri Journal: Musculoskelet Surg Date: 2012-06-09