Elastofibromatous changes in tissues from spinal biopsies. A degenerative process afflicting a small but important subset of patients operated for spinal canal compression: report of 18 cases

Int J Surg Pathol. 2010 Dec;18(6):508-15. doi: 10.1177/1066896909339736. Epub 2009 Jul 3.

Abstract

Elastofibroma is a tumorlike lesion occurring usually in the subscapular region of elderly females. In this study, 18 cases of elastofibromatous tissue retrieved from the spinal canal were analyzed to elucidate its frequency and possible clinical associations. The patients included 8 men and 10 women with a mean age of 63.4 years (range, 40-84 years). The elastic nature of the material was confirmed by Weigert's elastic stain and immunohistochemically. Elastofibroma was diagnosed in 6 patients, and elastofibroma-like tissue was found in 11 samples. The finding of elastofibromatous tissue was associated with clinical diagnosis of juxtaarticular cysts (3 cases), thickening of ligamentum flavum (4 cases), extradural expansion (2 cases), metastatic involvement of the dorsal spine (3 cases), and a vertebral fracture (1 case). Two cases were located above the transpedicular fixation. Elastofibromatous tissue may be found in approximately 2.6% of all spinal biopsies and it may take part in compression of spinal cord and nerve roots.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Decompression, Surgical
  • Elastic Tissue / pathology*
  • Female
  • Fibroma / complications*
  • Fibroma / pathology*
  • Fibroma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Spinal Canal / pathology*
  • Spinal Canal / surgery
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / surgery