Bone Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bone Cancer, including details on symptoms, types, treatment.

Osteochondroma of the sacrum: a case report and review of the literature.

Samartzis D, Marco RA

Graduate Division, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report and review of the literature. OBJECTIVES: To describe the en bloc excision and postoperative outcome of an osteochondroma of the sacrum compressing the neural elements, as well as review the literature on solitary osteochondroma involving the sacrum. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Osteochondroma is the most common primary benign bone tumor. However, this tumor rarely involves the spine and even more rarely involves the sacrum. To the best of our knowledge, en bloc excision of a solitary osteochondroma of the sacrum has not been previously reported. METHODS: An 11-year-old male presented with disabling radicular pain in the right lower extremity. Radiologic studies showed a lesion occurring from the sacral lamina that was compressing the S2 nerve root. The tumor was excised en bloc through a posterior approach. The cavitary defect within the sacrum was reconstructed with crushed cancellous allograft and demineralized bone matrix putty. A literature review of solitary sacral osteochondroma was conducted of the English-based medical literature. RESULTS: Histologic studies showed the tumor to be an osteochondroma. After surgery, pain was completely relieved, and neurologic function was normal. At the last follow-up, the sacroiliac joint remained intact, and there was no evidence of local recurrence. A literature review revealed 4 previous cases addressing osteochondroma of the sacrum. CONCLUSIONS: Osteochondroma is a rare primary benign bone tumor that can occur in the sacrum. Local contamination and, therefore, the likelihood of local recurrence, are decreased when an en bloc, as opposed to an intralesional, excision is performed.

Published 2 June 2006 in Spine, 31(13): E425-9.
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