A Rare Case of Neck Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcomas are primary malignant tumors of bone including osteoid or imma ture bone cells. Most of time it is located in long bones among adolescence ages. It is rarely located in the cervical spine.

The author presents a rare occurrence of a cervical spine osteosarcoma that developed in a young boy. The location of the tumor at C5-6 was confirmed by MRI, and a paravertebral mass like lesion in T2 weighted images. The tumor induced vertebral body collapse with disc material destruction. The tumor was incompletely resected, with signs and symptoms of disease progression only some weeks later.

Although reports of osteosarcoma originating from the vertebral body is not uncommon, but in cervical area and a rapid progression like this is incredible. Multidisciplinary team based approach to such rare cases is the best way to possible overcoming disease.