4. Plain radiographs
Best initial modality
Should include views in 2 planes
80 – 90 % of cases can be diagnosed
Advanced imaging should not be necessary for clearly benign
lesions
5. Plain radiographs
Where is the tumor? (Long bone or flat bone?; epiphysis,
metaphysis, or diaphysis?; medulla, cortex, or surface?)
What is the tumor doing to the bone? Is the tumor destroying or
replacing existing bone? If so, what is the pattern?
What is the bone doing to the tumor? Is there periosteal or
endosteal reaction? If so, is it well-developed? Is it sharply defined?
What is the type of periosteal reaction: reinforcing, spiculated, solid,
interrupted?
Are there intrinsic characteristics that suggest histology? Is there
bone formation? Calcification? Is the lesion completely
radiolucent?
6. Benign lesions
Well-defined or sclerotic border
Sharp zone of transition
Small size or multiple lesions
Confinement by natural barriers (eg, growth plate, cortex)
Lack of destruction of the cortex
Lack of extension into the soft tissue
7. Aggressive lesions
Poor definition
Cortical destruction ("moth-eaten" or permeative pattern)
Spiculated or interrupted periosteal reaction
Extension into the soft tissue
Large size
The absence of these findings does not exclude an aggressive lesion
11. Presents during the second decade
Proximal femur is the most common site
Progressively increasing pain that is worse at night and unrelated to
activity
Pain is relieved by aspirin or other nsaids, usually within 20 to 25
minutes
12. Children with lower-extremity lesions
Limp, swelling, muscular atrophy, leg-length discrepancy, bone
deformities, muscle contractures, and local point tenderness
Children with spine lesions
Limp, scoliosis, localized tenderness, restriction of motion, and/or spasm
of paravertebral muscles
13. 25 percent of osteoid osteomas are not obvious on plain
radiographs
Small, round lucency (nidus) with a sclerotic margin
Central ossification
Radiography
14.
15. Stress fracture
The pain of stress fractures usually worsens with activity and is relieved
with rest
Plain radiographs, stress fractures typically are linear and run
perpendicular or at an angle to the cortex, rather than parallel to it
Bone infections
May have a tract that extends from the lesion toward the nearest
growth plate
Osteoblastoma
The pain is more generalized and chronic and less responsive to nsaids.
It typically has a larger nidus, although this may not be visible
Differential diagnosis
16. Asymptomatic
Observed with serial examinations and radiographs every four to six
months
Symptomatic
Radiofrequency ablation
Surgical resection
Treatment
18. Rare benign bone-forming tumor of unknown etiology
Presents during the second decade
Common location is the posterior column of the spine
Tumors in the spine may be difficult to identify on plain radiographs
19.
20. Patients with osteoblastoma typically complain of chronic pain less
responsive to nsaids
Children with spine lesions
Limp or neurologic symptoms
Children with lower extremity lesions
Limp
21. Radiography
The radiographic findings are variable
Advanced imaging (eg, CT or MRI) often is required for identification
Appear similar to osteoid osteoma but is usually larger (>2 cm in
diameter)
May appear as an expansive lesion, similar to an aneurysmal bone
cyst
Rarely extend into the soft tissues
22.
23. Differential diagnosis
Stress fracture
Infection (eg, osteomyelitis, bone abscess)
Osteoid osteoma
Osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor
Aneurysmal bone cyst
27. Present during the second decade
Around the knee or the proximal humerus
Distal femur is the most common location
Osteochondroma
Bony spur arising on the external surface of a bone covered by
cartilaginous cap
28.
29. Hereditary multiple osteochondromas (HMO)
Two or more exostoses in the appendicular and axial skeleton
Autosomal dominant inheritance of a germline mutation in the tumor
suppressor genes EXT1 or EXT2
Prevalence in the general population is approximately 1:50,000
Painless mass near a joint or on the axial skeleton
Painful mass associated with local trauma
30. Osteochondromas near the ends of long bones are palpable
Osteochondroma can affect nearby growth plates
Can involve the vertebra and may encroach on the spinal canal
HMO may have short stature and angular deformities
Osteochondromas grow throughout childhood
They stop growing when the physes (growth plates) close and
remain static throughout adulthood
31. Radiography
Bony spur (sometimes large) that arises from the surface of the
cortex and usually points away from the joint
The cortex of the spur is continuous with the cortex of the underlying
bone
The cartilage cap is thick in the child (may be >2 cm), narrows
during adolescence, and generally is <1 cm in the adult
Biopsy and removal of the entire osteochondroma may be
warranted for lesions with a cap ≥2 cm thick
33. Treatment
Can be observed without treatment
Indications for excision
Local irritation
Deformity and concern for malignant transformation
Prognosis
Moderate risk of recurrence if osteochondromas are removed before
the physes close
Small lifetime risk of malignant transformation to chondrosarcoma
Osteochondromas of the spine, scapula, pelvis, and proximal femur are
particularly prone to malignant transformation
35. Benign cartilage-forming tumors that develop in the medulla
(marrow cavity) of long bones
Enchondromas typically present during the second decade
Enchondromatosis (ollier disease) is defined by multiple
enchondromas, often with a unilateral predominance
Enchondromatosis usually presents in children younger than 10 years
Maffucci syndrome is a subtype of enchondromatosis that is
characterized by multiple enchondromas and soft tissue
hemangiomas
36.
37. The signs and symptoms vary depending upon the anatomic site,
extent, and distribution of involvement
Asymptomatic unless a fracture is present
Ncidental findings
Symptomatic
Widening of the bone, angular deformity, and limb-length discrepancy
38. Radiographic findings
Oval, well-circumscribed, central lucent lesion, with or without matrix
calcifications
Expansion of the surrounding cortex, especially when the lesion is in
the hand or foot
Multiple lesions may be present
39. Differential diagnosis
Bony infarcts
Calcification is mainly in the periphery of the lesion and has a wavy or
serpentine appearance
Low-grade chondrosarcoma
Pain without fracture
40. Treatment
Observation
Asymptomatic
Without increased risk of pathological fracture
Curettage and bone grafting
Fractures should be permitted to heal before curettage
41. Prognosis
Solitary enchondromas usually are self-limited
Recurrence after curettage and bone graft is rare
Malignant transformation of a solitary enchondroma is extremely rare
(<1 percent)
The risk of malignant transformation is increased (as high as 20 to 50
percent) in patients with enchondromatosis (Ollier disease) or Maffucci
syndrome
43. Rare, benign, cartilage-forming tumors that arise from the surface of
the cortex, deep in the periosteum, and erode into the cortex
Occurs in children and adults
Most common site is the proximal humerus
Pain at the site of the lesion
Palpable nontender hard mass that is fixed to bone
44. Radiographic features
Small, scalloped, radiolucent lesions on the outer surface of the
cortex in the metaphysis or diaphysis
Rim of sclerotic bone
Calcification is present in approximately one-third of cases
Periosteal reaction is minimal
45.
46. Differential diagnosis
Nonossifying fibroma
Soft-tissue tumors, secondarily eroding into the cortical bone
Chondrosarcoma, a malignant tumor
Osteosarcoma, a malignant tumor
49. Arises in the epiphyses or apophyses of long bones
Presents during the teenage years
The most common sites are the epiphysis of the proximal humerus,
distal femur, and proximal tibia
Low-grade joint pain (constant, unrelated to activity) and swelling
50. Radiographic findings
Small, well-defined lesions with a sclerotic border that may cross the
physis
Matrix calcification may be seen
51.
52. Differential diagnosis
Giant cell tumor
Benign but locally aggressive skeletal tumor that occurs near the growth
plate in young adults
Chondromyxoid fibroma
Avascular necrosis
Abnormality of subchondral bone in which pain is activity related. In
contrast, in chondroblastoma, subchondral bone is normal, and pain is
constant, unrelated to activity
Aneurysmal bone cyst
Osteomyelitis
Clear cell chondrosarcoma
56. Rare, benign, cartilage-forming tumor of the tubular long bones
Usually presents in the teens or 20s
One-quarter of cases occur in the proximal tibia
Pain and swelling
63. Lesion in which portions of the bone are replaced by fibrous
connective tissue and poorly formed trabecular bone
Originates in the medullary cavity
Postzygotic mutation in the guanine nucleotide stimulatory protein
(GNAS1) gene
May occur in single or multiple bones
The polyostotic form of fibrous dysplasia is known as mccune-
albright syndrome and is associated with endocrine abnormalities
and café-au-lait spots
Mazabraud syndrome is characterized by fibrous dysplasia and soft
tissue myxomas
64.
65. Presents in the teens or 20s
Most common in the proximal femur tibia, ribs, and skull
Most patients with fibrous dysplasia are asymptomatic
May be painful or cause swelling
Repeated pathologic fractures or severe bone deformity
"Shepherd's crook" varus deformity of the proximal femur
66.
67. Radiographic findings
Lytic lesion in the metaphysis or diaphysis with a "ground glass"
appearance
Expansion of the bone and possible bowing
Cortical bone is thinned with a scalloped, undulating pattern due to
endosteal erosion
Periosteal reaction usually is absent unless there is a pathologic
fracture
70. Treatment
Asymptomatic
Observation
Symptomatic
Curettage, bone grafting
Autograft should not be used because it will be resorbed
Bisphosphonate therapy
71. Prognosis
Deformity may progress with skeletal growth
Usually is static after growth ceases but may be reactivated with
pregnancy
Often recurs after curettage and bone grafting
73. Deformity-inducing fibro-osseous lesion of the tibia and/or fibula
Originates in the cortex
Occurs in children younger than 10 years of age
Swelling and/or anterolateral bowing of the lower leg
Painful only if it associated with a pathologic fracture
74. Radiographic findings
Lytic thinning of the diaphyseal cortical bone with interspersed
sclerosis, causing anterior or anterolateral bowing
Sharply circumscribed margin
75. Differential diagnosis
Monostotic fibrous dysplasia (which originates in the medulla rather
than the cortex)
Adamantinoma (a low-grade malignant bone tumor)
Nonossifying fibroma.
79. Developmental defect filled with fibrous connective tissue
Known as metaphyseal cortical defect, fibrous cortical defect, and
benign metaphyseal bone scar
Incidental radiographic finding in teenagers
Most commonly in the distal femur, followed by the distal tibia, and
the proximal tibia
Large lesions may be associated with pathologic fracture
80. Radiographic findings
Small, well-defined, eccentric, expansile, lytic lesions located in the
metaphysis with scalloped sclerotic borders
83. Treatment
Asymptomatic
Nonossifying fibromas that are discovered incidentally do not require
any further follow-up
Symptomatic
Curettage and bone grafting
86. Fluid-filled lesions with a fibrous lining
Generally occur in the first 20 years of life
Proximal humerus and femur are the most common locations
Commonly present with a pathologic fracture
May be an incidental radiographic finding
Localized pain, limp, or failure to use the extremity normally
87. Radiographic findings
Well-marginated cystic lesions of the metaphysis or metadiaphysis
without reactive sclerosis
Usually involves the full diameter of bone, with expansion of the
cortex
"Fallen fragment" or "fallen leaf" sign
90. Treatment
Observation with serial radiographs
Activity restrictions to avoid pathologic fracture
Aspiration and injection with methylprednisolone
Curettage and bone grafting rarely are required for large lesions
that compromise the structural integrity of the bone
93. Expansile vascular lesions that consist of blood-filled channels
May grow rapidly and destroy bone
Generally are solitary
Primary or related to other benign bone lesions (eg, giant cell tumor,
osteoblastoma, chondroblastoma)
Generally occur in adolescents
94. May be found in any bone
Most common in the posterior spinal elements, femur, and tibia
Typically cause localized pain
Present with pathologic fracture, limp, or swelling, neurologic
symptoms
Lesions that cross the growth plate may cause growth arrest
95. Radiographic findings
Aggressive, expansile, lytic metaphyseal lesions with an "eggshell"
sclerotic rim
Pathologic fracture or periosteal reaction may be present
Sharply circumscribed
"Soap bubble" appearance secondary to the reinforcement of the
remaining trabeculae that support the bone structure
The cortex is usually intact
96.
97. Differential diagnosis
Unicameral bone cyst
Giant cell tumor, a benign but locally aggressive skeletal tumor that
occurs in young adults
Osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor
Osteoblastoma (in the spine).
Chondroblastoma (if they cross the growth plate)
101. Eosinophilic granuloma of bone
Relatively rare disorder of unknown etiology
Probably arising from circulating myeloid dendritic cells
Most common in children 5 to 10 years of age
Hand-schüller-christian disease classically refers to the clinical triad
of skull lesions, exophthalmos, and diabetes insipidus
Presentation of EGB with a single bone lesion is more common than
multiple bone lesions
102. Bones most commonly affected in children include the skull, ribs,
pelvis, long bones, mandible, and vertebrae.
Patients with egb present with painful swelling at the affected bony
site with or without decreased range of motion.
Pathologic fracture or spinal cord compression may also occur.
Biopsy of suspicious lesions and staining for cd1a and/or anti-
langerin (cd207) is needed in order to confirm the diagnosis of egb
Electron microscopy to identify birbeck granules is performed less
frequently
103. Radiographic findings
Well-defined, lytic lesion, with or without sclerotic margins, in the
diaphysis or metaphysis
Periosteal reaction may be absent, benign, or aggressive-appearing
Associated soft tissue mass may be present
Marked flattening of the vertebral body, or vertebra plana, is a
common manifestation
104.
105. Treatment
Asymptomatic
Conservative treatment
Symptomatic
Steroid injection
Curettage and bone grafting
Vertebra plana
Conservative
Temporary bracing
Radiation
Surgical decompression and fusion with instrumentation
108. 5% of bone neoplasms
Typically occur in patients 20 to 40 years old
Most common location for this tumor is the distal femur, followed
closely by the proximal tibia and distal radius
Spinal involvement, other than the sacrum, is rare
Usually solitary lesions
Although these tumors typically are benign, pulmonary metastases
occur in approximately 3% of patients
109. The overall mortality rate from disease for patients with pulmonary
metastases is approximately 15%
Progressive pain that often is related to activity initially and only later
becomes evident at rest
In 10% to 30% of patients, pathological fractures are evident at initial
examination
110. Radiographic findings
Eccentrically located in the epiphyses of long bones and usually
abut the subchondral bone
The lesions are purely lytic
Zone of transition can be poorly defined on plain radiographs
Partial rim of reactive bone may be present
Frequently expands or breaks through the cortex
Intraarticular extension is rare
On MRI, the lesion usually is dark on t1-weighted images and bright
on t2-weighted images
111. CLASSIFICATION
Grade I
Intraosseous lesions with well-marginated borders and an intact cortex
Grade II
More extensive intraosseous lesions having a thin cortex without loss of
cortical continuity
Grade III
Extraosseous lesions that break through the cortex and extend into soft tissue