Benign lesions of the cervical spine

Benign tumours of the spine are infrequent. Among the bony lesions occurring in children and adolescents are osteochondroma, benign osteoblastoma, and aneurysmal bone cyst. Although more than 50% of the osteochondromas are found in patients below 20 years of age, their incidence in the vertebrae is very low. In contrast, benign osteoblastoma and aneurysmal bone cyst are rare lesions, but occur relatively commonly in the spine. A case report of each of these bony lesions is presented. The symptomatology, the characteristic radiological and pathological appearance, and the appropriate treatment of these benign lesions of the spine are described.