Primary Tumors of the Spine

Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation

Abstract Introduction

Primary Benign Lesions of the Spine Primary Malignant Lesions of the Spine Conclusions

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Introduction

Primary nonlymphoproliferative tumors of the spine are uncommon, representing less than 5% of all bone neoplasms (1,2,3,4,5,6,7). Hemangioma of the spine often has a characteristic appearance that we have reported previously and will not discuss further. The more frequent neoplasms of the spine such as metastatic disease, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma usually manifest with multifocal lesions and thus pose little diagnostic dilemma. However, in the presence of a solitary spinal lesion, the more uncommon primary tumors of the spine must be considered in the differential diagnosis. Clinical presentation is often nonspecific, with back pain being the most common complaint. Identification of the neoplasm requires a high degree of clinical suspicion and radiologic evaluation, with the resultant findings often being strongly suggestive of the diagnosis.

In this article, we discuss and illustrate the most common benign and malignant primary neoplasms of the spine, including enostosis, osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, giant cell tumor (GCT), aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC), osteochondroma, chordoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), and osteosarcoma.

Abstract Introduction

Primary Benign Lesions of the Spine Primary Malignant Lesions of the Spine Conclusions

Source Information References