Spinal cord compression in a patient with multiple hereditary exostoses caused by breast adenocarcinoma metastatic to osteochondromas of the spine: case report.

Methods: Case report. Objective: To report on thoracic spinal cord compression caused by a mass in a 66-year-old female with new onset of myelopathic symptoms and a history of multiple hereditary exostoses.

Background: To our knowledge, there have been no previous reports of spinal cord compression in a patient with multiple hereditary exostoses caused by breast adenocarcinoma metastatic to osteochondromas of the spine. METHODS.: Chart, pathologic, and radiographic documentation of the preoperative and postoperative clinical course of the patient was used.

Results: The patient had resolution of her neurologic symptoms following wide surgical excision, decompression, and stabilization from T2 to T10. The patient's mass was found to be breast adenocarcinoma metastatic to osteochondromas of the spine.

Conclusions: When faced with a patient with a history of multiple hereditary exostoses with new onset of myelopathic symptoms and a mass compressing the spinal cord, the clinician's differential should be broad and always initially include a metastatic lesion, osteochondroma, or chondrosarcoma.