Osteoid Osteoma: Benign Osteoblastic Tumor of the Lumbar L4 Transverse Process Associated with Radicular Pain: A Case...

Osteoid osteomas of the spine are benign bone tumors typically presenting with progressive pain without neurological deficit. This report presents a case of an osteoid osteoma in the lumbar spine associated with radicular pain. The patient, a young male athlete, presented with severe chronic nightly left low-back pain radiated to the ipsilateral lower extremity who failed to respond to physical therapy and analgesic medications. Initial radiologic examination was reported as normal, but closer inspection of the T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance image as well as technetium-99m total body bone scan and a computed tomography scan revealed a bony lesion in the left transverse process of the L4 vertebra consistent with the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. A selective L3 nerve root block provided significant relief. Surgical excision of the osteoid osteoma resolved the symptoms. This case emphasizes the importance of early suspicion and diagnostic interventions in the detection and treatment of osteoid osteoma.