Surgical management of Gorham-Stout disease of the pelvis refractory to medical and radiation therapy
Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) is a rare condition characterized by spontaneous idiopathic bone resorption that can affect any part of the skeleton. Treatment is aimed at halting osteolysis and alleviating complications associated with bone loss. Often this can be achieved via observation and supportive management, medical treatment, and/or radiation therapy. We report a case of GSD of the pelvis that was refractory to medical and radiation therapy and was managed successfully with surgery. A 30-year-old man presented to our clinic 3 years after being diagnosed at an outside institution with GSD of the pelvis that was managed with medical treatments and radiation therapy. Despite aggressive, multimodality treatment, he was unable to ambulate without crutches and was in significant pain. The patient opted for intralesional surgery and spinopelvic fusion. Sixteen months after surgery, the patient had only mild pain and was able to ambulate with a cane. Very few cases have been reported of GSD involving the pelvis that necessitated surgical management. Significant functional impairment can occur as a result of pelvic osteolysis, and traditional management strategies focused on halting resorption may not be adequate. Surgical stabilization of the affected areas is an important treatment strategy for patients who have exhausted other options.