Myofibroma of the cervical spine presenting as brachialgia

J Neurosurg Spine. 2014 Dec;21(6):916-8. doi: 10.3171/2014.8.SPINE131194. Epub 2014 Oct 10.

Abstract

Myofibromas are rare, benign tumors of myofibroblasts. Their occurrence in adults, involving bone outside of the head and neck, is especially uncommon. The authors report the case of a 34-year-old woman who presented with left-sided brachialgia. Magnetic resonance imaging identified an expansile soft-tissue lesion of the C6-7 facet joint. En bloc resection via a left posterior midline approach was undertaken. Histopathological analysis confirmed the lesion to be a myofibroma. Brachialgia resolved following surgery and there is no evidence of recurrence at 20 months follow-up. Myofibroma is a rare cause of primary soft-tissue tumor of the spine. Surgical excision remains the mainstay of treatment.

Keywords: SMA = smooth muscle actin; brachialgia; cervical spine; myofibroma; oncology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brachial Plexus Neuritis / etiology
  • Brachial Plexus Neuritis / pathology*
  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Myofibroma / complications
  • Myofibroma / pathology*
  • Neck Pain / etiology
  • Neck Pain / pathology
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / complications
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / complications
  • Spinal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Zygapophyseal Joint / pathology