J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2001 Mar;8(1):90-95.

Chondroblastoma of the First Lumbar Vertebra: A Case Report

• Shin BJ
• Yun TK
• Lim KC
• Lee JC
• Kim KJ
• Kim DW
• Kim YI

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A case report and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVES
To discuss the chondroblastoma of the lumbar spine and review the literatures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A 36-year-old woman had back pain and pain radiating to the left lateral abdomen. Straight leg rais-ing was not limited. Plain roentgenograms show a small round radiolucent area in left L1 vertebral pedicle and expansile sclerotic margin in L1 vertebral body. T1-weighted MR images show the lesion displaying low signal intensity, T2-weighted images show high signal intensity, Gadolinium enhanced images show a necrotic area with low signal intensity in the lesion.
RESULTS
The mass of left L1 transverse process and pedicle was excised through posterior approach and pedicle screws were inserted T12 and L2 pedicle. L1 vertebral body was excised through anterior approach and a titanium mesh was inserted. It was a ovoid mass, measured 2.3 x 2 x 1.5 cmcm in size and histologically diagnosed as chondroblastoma consisting of chondroid matrix and chondroblast. Soft tissue nodule shows chicken-wire calcification. All the symptoms were relieved at 14 months follow-up and no evidence of recurrence on follow-up roentgenogram and bone scan. However, the patient had persistent lower back pain.
CONCLUSIONS
A case of chondroblastoma in L1 vertebral body was successfully excised by combined anterior and posterior approach and stabilized with a titanium meh.

Keyword

L1 vertebral body; Tumor; Chondroblastoma

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Adult
Back Pain
Chondroblastoma*
Chondrocytes
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gadolinium
Humans
Leg
Low Back Pain
Recurrence
Spine*
Titanium
Gadolinium
Titanium

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1-A. Preoperative lumbar AP radiograph showing osteolytic lesion on left L1 pedicle. Fig. 1-B. Preoperative lumbar lateral radiograph showing enlarged pedicle, osteolytic lesion on upper L1 body with sclerotic margin.

• 

  Fig. 2. Preoperative CT scan of first lumbar vertebra shows osteolytic lesion on L1 body and left pedicle. Soft tissue and bone fragment was surrounded by sclerotic bone in osteolytic lesion.

• 

  Fig. 3. Preoperative T1-weighted sagittal sequence of MR images show well demarcated low signal intensity.

• 

  Fig. 4-A. On histologic examination, small cuboidal tumor cells and areas of chondroid differentiation was observed (Hematoxylin and eosin stain, × 100). Fig. 4-B. Deposition of a thin layer of calcium around the tumor cells producing a characteristic chickenwire appearance (Hematoxylin and eosin stain, × 400).

• 

  Fig. 5. A,B Postoperative lumbar lateral radiograph and bone scan show no evidence of recurrence.

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