Lumbar spinal chondroma presenting with radiculopathy: case report
Ahmet Cetinkal1, Göksel Güven, Ali Kivanç Topuz
1GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Neurosurgery Department, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey. acetinkal@yahoo.com
Turkish Neurosurgery
|December 25, 2008
Summary
This case report details a rare spinal chondroma causing radiculopathy in a 54-year-old female. Surgical removal confirmed the diagnosis, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of these unusual spinal tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Oncology
- Spinal Pathology
Background:
- Chondroma is a rare cartilaginous neoplasm.
- Spinal chondromas are exceptionally uncommon.
- Radiculopathy can be a symptom of spinal tumors.
Observation:
- A 54-year-old female presented with low back pain and left femoral numbness.
- Lumbar MRI revealed an extradural mass at L2.
- CT scan showed no osteolytic bone lesions.
Findings:
- The mass was surgically excised via partial hemilaminectomy.
- Histopathology confirmed the lesion as a chondroma.
- The intradural compartment was also examined.
Implications:
- Spinal chondromas require thorough preoperative evaluation.
- Meticulous pathological analysis is crucial due to malignant transformation potential.
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare spinal neoplasms in differential diagnosis.
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