Song Li1, Saihu Mao2, Yanyu Ma1, Zezhang Zhu1, Zhen Liu1, Bangping Qian1, Xu Sun1, Yong Qiu1. 1. Division of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Zhongshan Road 321, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China. 2. Division of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Zhongshan Road 321, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China. siemens_636@163.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To comprehensively present the clinical characteristics and treatment strategies in patients with scoliosis secondary to ganglioneuroma (S-GN). METHODS: Six patients with S-GN treated surgically at a median age of 12 years were retrospectively reviewed and the median follow-up period was 6 years (4-14 years). The radiological features of GN and the associated scoliosis were evaluated. The surgical strategies and the corresponding outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: All patients had a delayed diagnosis age of GN than scoliosis (12 vs. 9 years). GN was located at the posterior mediastinum in four patients (66.7%) and at retroperitoneum in two, respectively. Tumor occupancies were frequently detected on the X-ray films for four patients (66.7%), being uniformly on the convexity of the main curve. All patients complained of rapid progressive deformities during the growth period. Five patients (83.3%) received total tumor resections, one accepted partial resection. Deformity correction was implemented for all patients with an average rate of 66.4% on the main curve. No recurrence of the GN was detected for all totally tumor-resected patients at the latest follow-up. CONCLUSION: S-GN is often misdiagnosed clinically. Paravertebral mass neighboring the apex of scoliosis can be meticulously detected from the X-ray films. Total tumor resection should be aggressively performed if possible. The deformity correction could be satisfactorily obtained and the risk of recurrence of the GN was relatively low.
PURPOSE: To comprehensively present the clinical characteristics and treatment strategies in patients with scoliosis secondary to ganglioneuroma (S-GN). METHODS: Six patients with S-GN treated surgically at a median age of 12 years were retrospectively reviewed and the median follow-up period was 6 years (4-14 years). The radiological features of GN and the associated scoliosis were evaluated. The surgical strategies and the corresponding outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: All patients had a delayed diagnosis age of GN than scoliosis (12 vs. 9 years). GN was located at the posterior mediastinum in four patients (66.7%) and at retroperitoneum in two, respectively. Tumor occupancies were frequently detected on the X-ray films for four patients (66.7%), being uniformly on the convexity of the main curve. All patients complained of rapid progressive deformities during the growth period. Five patients (83.3%) received total tumor resections, one accepted partial resection. Deformity correction was implemented for all patients with an average rate of 66.4% on the main curve. No recurrence of the GN was detected for all totally tumor-resected patients at the latest follow-up. CONCLUSION: S-GN is often misdiagnosed clinically. Paravertebral mass neighboring the apex of scoliosis can be meticulously detected from the X-ray films. Total tumor resection should be aggressively performed if possible. The deformity correction could be satisfactorily obtained and the risk of recurrence of the GN was relatively low.