Massive osteolysis of the cervical spine. A case report.

Study Design: This study described the course of a case of massive osteolysis (Gorham's disease) of the cervical spine and discussed the literature data.

Objectives: To describe a case of massive osteolysis of the cervical spine with fatal outcome and to discuss the classification of the disease among osteolysis and its therapeutic modalities.

Summary Of Background Data: Massive osteolysis is a rare condition (fewer than 100 cases reported in the literature) of unknown etiology, which may involve any bone in the body, with a propensity for the shoulder and pelvic girdle.

[Periosteal chondroma of the hand].

Juxtacortical chondroma is the less common of the two varieties of chondroma which may develop in the hand. Two cases are reported, and the authors review the clinical, radiological, pathological and therapeutic data concerning this tumour which was first individualized by Lichtenstein and Hall in 1952. Clinicians should be well informed on the characteristics of juxtacortical chondroma, since its differential diagnosis with a malignant lesion may be extremely difficult, even at histology, and since conservative surgery with complete excision of the chondroma usually results in permanent cure.

[A case of sacrococcygeal chordoma].

The authors describe a case of sacrococcygeal chordoma which was detected in a 49-year old male subject in the course of a clinical examination. Bone X-rays and CT-scans confirmed the diagnosis of sacral tumor, and radical excision was performed via combined abdominal and sacral approach. The chief characteristics of these rare tumors are further discussed, with particular focus on the therapeutical problems arising in relation with the fact that surgical removal, alone, can prevent tumor recurrences.