Osteochondroma mimicking meningioma: case report and literature update

Skeletal Radiol. 2017 Jun;46(6):825-829. doi: 10.1007/s00256-017-2608-7. Epub 2017 Mar 8.

Abstract

We report a case of an osteochondroma in a 47-year-old woman presenting with a 2-month history of thoracic back pain that radiated down her left arm. Based on imaging features, the osteochondroma was initially thought to represent a calcified meningioma. The unusual features of the case include the location of the tumor, patient age, the erosion of the vertebra, and the confusing neuroradiological features. We review reported cases in which a solitary costal osteochondroma impinges on the neural foramina or central spinal canal and we discuss reasons for the misdiagnosis in our case.

Keywords: Foraminal stenosis; Nerve root compression; Neural foramen; Osteochondroma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Back Pain / etiology
  • Bone Neoplasms / complications
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone Neoplasms / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Meningioma*
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteochondroma / complications
  • Osteochondroma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Osteochondroma / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed