Neuroradiology

Osteoblastoma

tumour of flat bones or vertebrae, usually solitary, and similar to osteoid osteoma though the latter are usually smaller (less than 2 cm). The tumours may be benign, composed of a well vascularized connective tissue stroma in which active production of osteoid and primitive woven bone occurs, or malignant, radiologically not dissimilar but with more extensive soft tissue involvement.

Pain is the most common symptom. On plain films the picture is nonpathognomonic: a combination of osteolysis and osteosclerosis may be found or either of these alone. The cervical spine is most frequently affected, two thirds involve the posterior arch and one third the vertebral body. CT and MRI (Fig.1) show the vertebral abnormality as bony expansion with mixed density/intensity. Contrast enhancement is observed. Also, see osteoblastoma.

GS

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Fig.1

a. Axial CT, bone window. Expansion of the left pedicle of CT by a tumour of mixed density. b. CT, coronal reformations. Arrowheads indicate the tumour nodule. c, d. MR, T1-weighted images without gadolinium (c) and with gadolinium (d). In (d) the tumour enhances inhomogeneously; arrow indicates compressed and displace left vertebral artery.
Osteoblastoma, Fig.1 (a)
Osteoblastoma, Fig.1 (b)
Osteoblastoma, Fig.1 (c)
Osteoblastoma, Fig.1 (d)