Osteoblastoma

CLINICAL SUMMARY

Osteoblastoma is an uncommon, benign, but locally aggressive osteoid-producing tumor. Treatment is thorough curettage or marginal excision. Osteoblastoma tends to occur more commonly in the spine than in the long bones, where treatment can be challenging due to the anatomic complexity.

DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES

History	Young patients, with an age range of 10 to 25 years; median age of 18 years Deep bone pain Nocturnal pain and painful scoliosis less common than in osteoid osteoma
Location	More common in the spine (40%) than in the long bones (30%) In the spine, usually posterior elements In the long bones, can be metaphyseal, eccentric, or diaphyseal. The lesion is typically larger than 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter
Margins	Geographic lysis, sometimes with expansile remodeling Zone of transition can be variable, with some lesions appearing aggressive
Matrix	Punctate mineralization; appearance can mimic chondroid matrix Can appear lytic in long bones