Spindle cell hemangioendothelioma of the sacrum: case report

J Neurosurg Spine. 2014 Aug;21(2):275-8. doi: 10.3171/2014.3.SPINE13651. Epub 2014 May 2.

Abstract

Spindle cell hemangioendothelioma is a rare benign vascular tumor that is not known to involve the sacrum. The authors describe the case of a 31-year-old woman presenting with low-back and radicular pain without weakness or bowel or bladder dysfunction. Admission CT and MRI studies revealed a large S1-3 lytic sacral lesion. The patient initially underwent a nondiagnostic percutaneous biopsy. She subsequently underwent an open biopsy, during which the lesion was found to be highly vascular. Histological investigation revealed a vasoformative lesion consistent with spindle cell hemangioendothelioma. Preoperative embolization followed by resection via intralesional currettage resulted in resolution of symptoms up to 9 months postintervention. Despite the authors' recommendation, the patient became pregnant at that time and requested no additional follow-up imaging. The authors present the first reported case of a spindle cell hemangioendothelioma of the sacrum and review the current literature.

Keywords: hemangioma; oncology; sacral tumor; spindle cell hemangioendothelioma; spindle cell hemangioma; vascular disorders; vascular malformation; vascular tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Female
  • Hemangioendothelioma / diagnosis*
  • Hemangioendothelioma / pathology
  • Hemangioendothelioma / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Sacrum / pathology*
  • Sarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoma / pathology
  • Sarcoma / surgery*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Spinal Neoplasms / surgery*