Osteoid osteoma presenting as thoracic scoliosis

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that can occur at any age. It may be idiopathic or secondary in children, idiopathic and degenerative in adults. Management of patients with scoliosis is multidisciplinary, involving rheumatologists, radiologists, orthopaedic surgeons, and prosthetists. Imaging plays a central role in diagnosis, including the search for secondary causes, follow-up, and preoperative work-up if surgery is required. Evaluating scoliosis involves obtaining frontal and lateral full-spine radiographs in the standing position, with analysis of coronal and sagittal alignment. For adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, imaging follow-up is often required, accomplished using low-dose stereoradiography such as EOS imaging. For adult degenerative scoliosis, the crucial characteristic is rotatory subluxation, also well detected on radiographs. Magnetic resonance imaging is usually more informative than computed tomography for visualizing associated canal and foraminal stenoses. Radiologists must also have a thorough understanding of postoperative features and complications of scoliosis surgery because aspects can be misleading.

Structural scoliosis secondary to thoracic osteoid osteoma: a case report of delayed diagnosis

PURPOSE

The aim of this case report is to show that late diagnosis of vertebral osteoid osteoma gives rise to structural scoliosis which sometimes requires long-term management.

METHODS

We report a case of an osteoid osteoma in the thoracic spine associated with structural scoliosis. We describe a 14-year-old boy who complained chronic nightly left back pain and scoliosis. Spine's X-ray was reported thoraco-lumber scoliosis without bone lesion.

RESULTS

MRI as well as technetium-99 m total body bone scan and a computed tomography scan revealed a bony lesion in the upper left joint of T11 vertebra consistent with the diagnosis of OO. Anatomopathological study of the resection piece confirmed the diagnosis of OO. Surgical excision of the tumor resolved pains, but scoliosis needed an orthopedic treatment for 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Through this case, it has been demonstrated that late diagnosed vertebral OO can be the cause of structural scoliosis. Clinical and radiological results indicate that OO resection is an effective and safe method of treatment.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Sacral osteoid osteoma mimicking sacroiliitis: A case report in a 12-year-old child

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Vertebral osteoid osteoma is often diagnosed late because of misleading signs.

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CT scan is the most effective radiological examination for the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma.

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Sacroiliitis is the first differential diagnosis of sacral osteoid osteoma.

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Treatment of laminar osteoid osteoma is surgical because radiofrequency can damage spinal nerve cells.

Osteoid osteoma: lower back pain combined with scoliosis

Osteoid osteoma is a small benign bone tumor that is primarily localized in long bone; lumbar osteoid osteoma combined with scoliosis has rarely been reported. Here, we describe a 9-year-old boy who complained of back pain and scoliosis. He underwent nidus resection and did not experience complications or osteoid osteoma recurrence. His pain and scoliosis were relieved after the operation. The findings in this case indicate that resection of osteoid osteoma is an effective and safe method of treatment. The lumbar spine is the most common location of osteoid osteoma, which causes painful scoliosis. Nidus resection can provide relief of back pain and scoliosis.

Spinal tumors in children

Summary Introduction: Spinal tumors are rare in the pediatric population, presenting many specific peculiarities when compared to adults. We have performed a broad narrative review to describe the most common spinal tumors in children, discussing their main characteristics and management options. Method: The authors have performed an extensive review of the peer-reviewed literature addressing the aforementioned objectives. Results: Multimodality radiological studies (plain films, 3D computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging) are necessary for proper evaluation and differential diagnosis of spinal tumors in children. In selected cases nuclear medicine imaging is used to improve the chances of a more accurate diagnosis. As a general rule, a fine needle biopsy is recommended after radiological evaluation to confirm the tumor's histology. Primary bone tumors can be divided into benign bone tumors, mostly represented by vertebral hemangiomas, osteoid osteomas, osteoblastomas, aneurismal bone cysts, and eosinophilic granulomas, and malign or aggressive tumors, such as Ewing's or osteogenic sarcomas. Secondary bone tumors (spinal metastases) comprise different tumor histologies, and treatment is mainly based on tumor's radiosensitivity. The characteristics and treatment options of the main spinal tumors are discussed in details. Conclusion: Spinal tumors in children are rare lesions that demand a thorough understanding of their main characteristics for their proper management. Understanding the nuances of spinal tumors in children is of paramount importance for improving outcomes and chances of cure.

Scoliosis secondary to lumbar osteoid osteoma: A case report of delayed diagnosis and literature review

RATIONALE

Lumbar osteoid osteoma has a low incidence, which could easily lead to scoliosis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Scoliosis secondary to lumbar osteoid osteoma could be easily misdiagnosed when patients do not complain of obvious symptoms.

DIAGNOSES

We reported a case of a 9-year-old boy with back deformity that was firstly diagnosed with scoliosis at the local hospital. After prescribed with orthosis, the patient experienced aggravating pain that could not be relieved with painkillers. After he admitted to our hospital for further medical advice, he was prescribed to complete radiological examinations. Considering his radiological examination results and his medical history, correct diagnosis of lumbar osteoid osteoma was made.

INTERVENTIONS

Surgical intervention of posterior lesion resection was conducted after diagnosis. Intra-operative frozen pathology indicated features of osteoid osteoma. As the lesion involved inferior articular process of L5, which could cause lumbar instability after lesion resection, internal fixation was conducted at L4-S1 segment, and posterolateral bone fusion was also conducted at L5-S1 segment.

OUTCOMES

Three months after operation, the patient showed marked improvement of scoliosis deformity and great relief of lumbar pain.

LESSONS SUBSECTIONS

Although spine osteoid osteoma is clinically rare, it shall not be overlooked when young patients present with scoliosis first. Radiological results including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging shall be taken carefully as reference when making diagnosis. Surgical intervention of lesion resection could well improve scoliosis and relieve lumbar pain.