ABSTRACT

Primary tumors of the spine are uncommon and comprise less than 10% of all bone tumors. Patients with primary benign tumors of the spine usually present longstanding history of symptoms. Most consistent complaint is pain. If tumor mass encroaches to medullary canal or spinal roots neurological symptoms may occur. Complete imaging studies including conventional x-rays, computerized tomography, magnetic re-sonance imaging and bone scan are obtained for diagnosis, staging and accurate surgical plan-ning. Biopsy is necessary in case of any suspec-ted malignancy or unknown nature of the lesion except for certain tumors such as osteoid oste-oma, osteochondroma or hemangioma when di-agnosis can be based on typical radiographic ap-pearance. Most lesions of the vertebral column are sampled by using core-needle or tru-cut bi-opsy techniques under CAT control. Treatment of benign spinal tumors is based on histological type, size and location of the tumor and accom-panying symptoms which varies form intralesi-onal curettage to wide resection. Preoperative selective arterial embolisation is very helpful to decrease intraoperative bleeding in hypervascu-lar tumors such as giant cell tumor or aneurysmal bone cyst. Role of radiotherapy is limited only to surgically inaccessible lesions.