PMC4085914_01
PMC4085914_02
Representative thoracic spine computed tomographic (CT) images of a 51-year-old woman with breast carcinoma at the T6 level (Case 2). The patient underwent a transthoracic corpectomy, anterior cage placement, and posterior supplementation from T5 to T7. Sagittal spine Cobb angle measurements were assessed by drawing lines along the superior edge of the adjacent vertebral body cephalad to the level of the corpectomy and along the inferior edge of the adjacent vertebral body caudal to the level of the corpectomy. Kyphosis is assessed preoperatively (left), immediately postoperatively (center), and at 20 months postoperatively (right)
JCVJS-5-55-g002.jpg
PMC4085914_02_JCVJS-5-55-g002.jpg
F1
Imaging demonstrated a destructive lesion of the T6 vertebral body that was circumferentially compressing the spinal cord [Figure 1, left]. Three months postoperatively, reflexes and gait had normalized, with stable spinal alignment on CT [Figure 1, center]. At 6 and 20 months postoperatively, her pain remained well-controlled off medications; neurologic function was preserved; and imaging demonstrated continued stability with no evidence of hardware failure [Figure 1, right].