Spinal cord compression caused by a brown tumor secondary to primary hyperparathyroidism

Saad Moussa Elmi; Alngar Djimrabeye; José Dimbi Makoso; Rayhane Hamdaoui

doi:10.25259/SNI_92_2023

Spinal cord compression caused by a brown tumor secondary to primary hyperparathyroidism

Surg Neurol Int. 2023 Mar 24:14:108. doi: 10.25259/SNI_92_2023. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Saad Moussa Elmi^{1

2}, Alngar Djimrabeye^{1

2}, José Dimbi Makoso^{1

2}, Rayhane Hamdaoui^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat.
² Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco.

Abstract

Background: Brown tumors (BTs) are rare non-neoplastic lesions that arise secondary to hyperparathyroidism largely involving mandible, ribs, pelvis, and large bones. Spinal involvement is extremely rare and may result in cord compression.

Case description: A 72-year-old female with the primary hyperparathyroidism developed a thoracic spine BT causing T3-T5 spinal cord compression warranting operative decompression.

Conclusion: BTs should be included in the differential diagnosis in lytic-expansive lesions involving the spine. For those who develop neurological deficits, surgical decompression may be warranted followed by parathyroidectomy.

Keywords: Brown tumor; Primary hyperparathyroidism; Spinal cord compression.

Publication types

Case Reports