Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), or cylindroma, is a rare malignancy believed to arise from epithelial cells of salivary glands. It is a slow-growing but aggressive tumor with a propensity for perineural invasion. Metastases are common to the lung, but rare to the spine. The natural history of ACC spine metastases is unknown and progression is unpredictable.

(1) A case report was described for a patient diagnosed with spine ACC metastasis of the T6/T7 vertebrae. (2) A literature search was conducted on Medline via PubMed and the Cochrane databases according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to identify articles from 1973 to March 2019 using following keywords: adenoid cystic carcinoma, cylindroma, metastasis, salivary glands.

We report an unusual case of spine ACC metastasis of the T6/T7 vertebrae in a patient suffering from progressive radiculopathy and thoracic pain. Based on these findings, the patient underwent T6/T7 laminectomy. The diagnosis was confirmed by the pathology results. The primary parotid tumor had been resected 35 years before spine metastasis. A review of literature encompassing 40 years identified 16 patients treated for ACC spine metastases. Mean time to spine metastases was 4.1 years after primary treatment of ACC. Spine metastases were isolated, without local recurrence at the neck.

This case highlights the critical importance of long follow up of ACC patients, due to late spine metastases. Diagnosis spinal metastasis of salivary carcinoma should be considered, to guide management, especially in clinical follow-up.