STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To report primary angiosarcoma of the T8 vertebra, which was successfully managed with en bloc spondylectomy and postoperative chemotherapy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first documented example of successful treatment of angiosarcoma of the spine. METHODS: Angiosarcoma of the eighth thoracic vertebra was diagnosed in a 48-year-old man with impending neurologic deficit. Imaging findings revealed a nonspecific high-grade lesion. A total spondylectomy of T8 by en bloc resection was performed. The defect of the vertebral body was reconstructed with a apatite-wollastonite glass ceramic prosthesis; moreover, the T6-T10 vertebrae were instrumented by the pedicle screw, hook and rod system. The histologic diagnosis of the excised specimen was high-grade angiosarcoma. Postoperative chemotherapy was implemented to prevent local recurrence and distant metastasis. RESULTS: No sign of local recurrence or metastasis was evident 5 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: This case is the first documented example of successful treatment of angiosarcoma of the thoracic spine. Radiologic findings were nonspecific; consequently, correct diagnosis was established by pathologic examination. Immediate, aggressive operative treatment and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy afforded a satisfactory outcome.
STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To report primary angiosarcoma of the T8 vertebra, which was successfully managed with en bloc spondylectomy and postoperative chemotherapy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first documented example of successful treatment of angiosarcoma of the spine. METHODS:Angiosarcoma of the eighth thoracic vertebra was diagnosed in a 48-year-old man with impending neurologic deficit. Imaging findings revealed a nonspecific high-grade lesion. A total spondylectomy of T8 by en bloc resection was performed. The defect of the vertebral body was reconstructed with a apatite-wollastonite glass ceramic prosthesis; moreover, the T6-T10 vertebrae were instrumented by the pedicle screw, hook and rod system. The histologic diagnosis of the excised specimen was high-grade angiosarcoma. Postoperative chemotherapy was implemented to prevent local recurrence and distant metastasis. RESULTS: No sign of local recurrence or metastasis was evident 5 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: This case is the first documented example of successful treatment of angiosarcoma of the thoracic spine. Radiologic findings were nonspecific; consequently, correct diagnosis was established by pathologic examination. Immediate, aggressive operative treatment and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy afforded a satisfactory outcome.