[Osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma of the vertebrae]

Five cases of osteoid osteoma and five cases of osteoblastoma of the spine are reported. All the patients underwent surgery and the radiographic diagnosis was always histologically confirmed. Conventional radiographic technique using tomography constantly permitted the diagnosis. Computed tomography was primarily useful for spatial localization of the lesion. The authors evaluate the radiographic findings of the two lesions discussing the symptoms which are suspected for these pathologic conditions. Bone scintigraphy must precede radiological examination.