Journal de la colonne vertébrale

Chordoma of the Cervical Spine in a Competition Athlete: Case Report and Long-term Follow Up

Abstract

Marcelo Wajchenberg, Michel Kanas, Delio E Martins, Luciano Miller Reis Rodrigues, Reinaldo Jesus Garcia and Eduardo Barros Puertas

Introduction: Chordoma is a rare type of low-grade malignant neoplasm that arised from the remnants of the embryonic notochord. Observed mainly in the clivus and sacrum but can occur anywhere along the spine. Several treatment approaches are described. Treatment outcomes are significantly influenced by the size and location of the tumor.

Clinical presentation and follow up: We report a 19-year-old female professional athlete with a cervical chordoma, involving C2, C3 and C4 vertebrae with spinal cord compression. Diagnosis was established by open biopsy. The patient was surgically treated in three steps: one anterior resection of the lesion was carried out, followed by a posterior resection and finally an arthrodesis and anterior fixation. The patient was referred to rehabilitation and one year after the first surgery she resumed competitive sport activities. No recurrences were observed within fifteen years of follow-up.