Spinal osteochondroma: spectrum of a rare disease

Osteochondromas are the most common benign bone tumor. Although the metaphysial region of long bones is the usual site of these tumors, the vertebrae may be infrequently affected. The presentation may vary from typical compressive myelopathy to radiculopathy or radiculomyelopathy, depending on the site of involvement. The authors present 3 consecutive cases of cervical spine osteochondromas encountered over 3 years at their institution, each different in its site of involvement, presentation, and chosen treatment. The patient in Case 1 had the typical presentation and lesion site, and was treated with a conventional laminectomy. The patient in Case 2 presented with an extensive disease that required complex, staged surgery with spinal fusion and instrumentation. The patient in Case 3 presented with monoradiculopathy and had a facet joint osteochondroma that was successfully treated with a simple partial facetectomy, without laminectomy.