Table of Contents  
CASE REPORT
Year : 2012  |  Volume : 5  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 147-150  

Osteoblastoma of radius


1 Department of Pathology, BMCH, Burdwan, India
2 Department of Orthopaedics, BMCH, Burdwan, India
3 Department of Physiology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, India

Date of Web Publication10-Nov-2012

Correspondence Address:
Arunima Chaudhuri
Krishnasayar South, Borehat, Burdwan-713102, West Bengal
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0975-2870.103346

Rights and Permissions
  Abstract 

An 18-year-old male presented with a huge swelling in his left forearm, which was progressively increasing for four years with episodic pain in the outpatient department of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan. Investigations and clinical examinations were done that revealed the swelling to be a bony tumor. The patient was operated upon with en bloc removal of tumor and the site replaced by bone graft. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology showed the tumor to be a giant cell containing lesion of bone reported as osteoblastoma, a benign bone-forming tumor on histopathological evaluation. Postoperative follow-up of the patient showed good response with complete union of bone graft and full range of joint movement.

Keywords: Bone graft, giant cell, osteoblast, osteoid


How to cite this article:
Datta S, Ghosh S, Chaudhuri A, Mondal BC. Osteoblastoma of radius. Med J DY Patil Univ 2012;5:147-50

How to cite this URL:
Datta S, Ghosh S, Chaudhuri A, Mondal BC. Osteoblastoma of radius. Med J DY Patil Univ [serial online] 2012 [cited 2024 Mar 28];5:147-50. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/mjdy/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2012/5/2/147/103346


  Introduction Top


Osteoblastoma is a rare primary neoplasm of bone, categorized as a benign bone-forming tumor that usually occurs in spine and long bones of young adults. Osteoblastoma and osteoid osteoma are histologically very similar but they differ in presentation, localization, radiographic appearance, treatment and recurrence. Osteoblastomas are larger than osteoid osteomas and involve spine more frequently. Pain is dull, achy and unresponsive to salicylates and does not induce marked bony reaction. An aggressive type of osteoblastoma has been described that has characteristics similar to that of osteosarcoma. [1],[2],[3]

Osteoblastoma accounts for 0.5% to 2% of all primary bone tumors. The tumor most commonly occurs in the dorsal aspect of vertebrae, metaphysis or diaphysis of long bones, and rarely in pelvis. In the spine, tumor is usually located in posterior processes, while vertebral bodies are spared. Tumor frequency is lower in thoracic spine and greater and equal occurrence in cervical and lumbar regions. Osteoblastoma predominantly affects young adults. Peak age of incidence is approximately 20 years, though the tumor may present as early as 10 years to as late as 60 years. Males exceed females in a ratio of 2-3:1. [1],[2],[3],[4]


  Case Report Top


An 18-year-old male patient attended the Outpatient Department of Orthopaedics in Burdwan Medical College, Burdwan (West Bengal). The patient was having a huge swelling on his left forearm, which was well appreciated on anterior position and was progressively increasing in size. Initially, it was painless but episodic pain used to be felt due to infliction of secondary trauma. Clinically, it was a well-defined hard, bony, non-tender swelling. Range of joint movements (elbow and wrist) was normal [Figure 1].
Figure 1: Range of movement before surgery

Click here to view


The patient was advised radiologic (X-ray), hematological and biochemical investigation. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was done from the swelling using an 18-gauge needle. X-ray of the swelling showed a huge, well-defined, radiolucent lesion involving radius bone of left forearm, showing soap bubble appearance at places [Figure 2].
Figure 2: X-ray of osteoblastoma of radius

Click here to view


FNAC revealed spindle cells, osteoclasts, osteoblasts and a pinkish osteoid-like material, and cytological study reported a benign bone-forming lesion of bone.

Operative procedure

Two surgical teams were present: one for upper limb operation and the other for harvesting fibular graft from left lower limb. This shortened the tourniquet time.

Operation was performed under general anesthesia. Surgical approach was through anterior approach of the forearm. An incision was given extending from 2″ above the wrist joint to 2″ below the elbow. After separating the subcutaneous tissue and fascia between the planes of brachioradialis and fusiform tumor of 5″ × 3″ extending from 3″ above lower end of radius up to 2″ below radial tuberosity. After the separation of the vessels and nerves, wide excision of tumor was done [Figure 3]. Under tourniquet, a long segment (6″) of fibula was harvested through a minimally invasive double incision technique from left lower limb, which was placed in the place of resected left radius and fixed with an intramedullary rush nail from radial styloid up to the head of radius [Figure 4]. Finally, the wound was closed in layers after applying the suction drain and a POP backslab was applied thereafter. [5],[6],[7]
Figure 3: Excised tumor

Click here to view
Figure 4: X-ray of rush nail in situ

Click here to view


The resected tumor was sent for pathological examination. A fusiform mass was found with attached segments of resected bone measuring 6″ with the tumor measuring 5″ × 3″. External surface was hard and smooth. Cut surface showed cheesy material. No necrotic areas were found. On microscopy, sections showed anastomosing bony trabeculae with prominent rimming of osteoblasts in trabecular arrangement with osteoid tissue and numerous multinucleated osteoclastic giant cells. The cells showed insignificant mitotic activity and minimal cellular atypia. The intertrabecular spaces were arranged loosely and contained occasional spindle cells and capillaries. Few foci showed secondary changes like aneurysm bone cyst resembling features. The tumor was diagnosed as OSTEOBLASTOMA [Figure 5]. [4],[6],[8]
Figure 5: Histopathological slide

Click here to view


After two weeks of operation, stitches were removed in the upper and lower limb followed by application of POP cast to left upper limb, which was further kept for 10 weeks. After removal of the cast, left forearm molded guard was applied and kept for another five months, which was removed accordingly for wrist and elbow joint movement. X-rays were taken at intervals of six weeks. Then, fibula was incorporated (complete union) at upper and lower ends of resected radius after about eight months of operation with no neurological deficit in left upper limb [Figure 6] and [Figure 7]. [6],[7]
Figure 6: Postoperative range of movement

Click here to view
Figure 7: Postoperative range of movement

Click here to view



  Discussion Top


The clinical course of osteoblastoma often makes it difficult to diagnose. The tumor may have a slow indolent course or display characteristics that are confused with malignancy. Other diagnoses that share similar clinical, radiographic and histological features with conventional osteoblastoma include osteoid osteoma, giant cell tumor and fibrous dysplasia. Osteoblastomas may also have features that mimic malignant tumors such as osteosarcoma. Osteoblastoma is about 20 times less common than osteosarcoma. [1],[2],[3],[4]

Osteoblastomas may be found within the cortex, medullary canal or periosteal tissues. Multi-centric foci within a single bone have also been described. There is a slight predominance of metaphyseal over diaphyseal lesions, with very few lesions reported in epiphyseal location. [2],[3]

According to the musculoskeletal society tumor staging (MSTS) system of benign bone tumors, most osteoblastomas are stage II lesions. Stage II lesions are characterized by benign cytologic characteristics, remain intracapsular and do not metastasize. While stage III osteoblastomas destroy bone much more aggressively and extend extracapsularly, histologic architecture and cell structure remain benign. [5],[6],[7]

The nomenclature for aggressive osteoblastoma has been controversial. Despite lack of recognized metastasis, debate continues regarding whether to classify it as a malignant osteoblastoma or an osteoblastoma-like osteosarcoma. Lucas reported that "distinguishing osteoblastoma from osteosarcoma is one of most challenging and important problems in orthopedic pathology and is sometimes impossible." The histological diagnosis requires a meticulous microscopic examination for cellular atypia, nuclear atypia, abnormal mitosis and penetrating pattern. If any of these characteristics are found, osteosarcoma could be considered likely diagnostic. Tumor cells for osteoblastoma may show different reactivity pattern for expression of cyclooxygenase 2 than atypical cells in osteosarcoma. [3],[8]

Radiation therapy or chemotherapy to treat osteoblastoma is controversial. Many authors believe that neither treatment has any therapeutic effect on this lesion. Post-irradiation sarcoma has been reported in the management of benign tumors, which makes this method of treatment inappropriate for benign, surgically accessible tumors. The appropriate surgical treatment goal for osteoblastoma is complete excision of the lesion. For stage I and II lesions, recommended treatment is extensive intralesional curettage. A high speed burr is usually used to remove gross and microscopic tumor, as well as a circumferential margin of normal bony tissue. For stage III lesions, wide resection is recommended to ensure removal of all tumor-bearing tissue, which is excision of tumor with circumferential cuff of normal bone and soft tissue around entity and is considered as curative for osteoblastoma, which is done in our case of osteoblastoma of radial bone. [4],[5],[6]

In a study of 99 cases of osteoblastoma over 30 years (1974-2006), local recurrence rate was 24% following curettage and packing. Recurrence however can be minimized by resective surgery. Regardless of the method of resection, surgical specimen margins must be tumor-free to ensure complete excision of the tumor. Osteoblastomas have a reported recurrence rate of approximately 10%-20%. Tumor relapse is associated with inadequate resection of initial lesion. However, in some areas, like spine, it might not always be possible to remove the entire lesion. The recurrence rate for stage II osteoblastoma after an extensive intralesional excision is close to 0%, whereas the recurrence rate after excision through reactive zone of bone (marginal excision) is much higher. For stage III osteoblastoma, recurrence rate after wide excision of surgically accessible sites is negligible. The recurrence rate after intralesional excision is higher at any sites, as would be expected. [3],[4],[5],[6] In the present case, due to the large size of the tumor and periosteal nature involving a long segment of radius, decision of wide excision of the lesion and replacement of lost segment by fibular graft is considered wise enough, which can lower the rate of recurrence.

Diagnosis and treatment of osteoblastoma require the coordinated participation of a radiologist, pathologist and orthopedic surgeon with expertise in orthopedic oncology. Once diagnosis is made, outcome is generally good. Keeping in view of the location of tumor, size, progress and cytological morphology or malignant potential, the schedule of surgical intervention must be taken into account for a procedure free of complications like bleeding, infections and lowering the future recurrence possibility.

 
  References Top

1.Biagini R, Orsini U, Danitri S, Bibiloni J, Ruggieri P, Mercuri M, et al. Osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma of sacrum. Orthopedics 2001;24:1061-4.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.Lichtenstein L. Benign osteoblastoma: A category of osteoid and bone forming tumors other than classical osteoid osteoma which may be mistaken for giant cell tumor or osteogenic sarcoma. Cancer 1956;9:1044-52.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]    
3.Lucas DR, Unni KK, Mcleod RA. O'Connor MI, Sim FH. Osteoblastoma: Clinicopathologic study of 306 cases. Hum Pathol 1994;25:117-34.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.Patnoe TG, Pritchard DJ. Benign osteoblastoma. Orthopedics 1989;12:329-31.  Back to cited text no. 4
[PUBMED]    
5.Ruggieri P, Mcleod RA, Unni KK, Sim FH. Osteoblastoma. Orthopedics 1996;19:621-4.  Back to cited text no. 5
[PUBMED]    
6.Saglik Y, Atalar H, Yildiz Y, Basarir K, Gunay C. Surgical treatment of osteoblastoma: A report of 20 cases. Acta Orthop Belg 2007;73:747-53.  Back to cited text no. 6
[PUBMED]    
7.Enneking WF. A system of staging musculoskeletal neoplasms. Clin. Orthop Relat Res 1986;:9-24.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.Hosona A, Yamaguchi U, Makimoto A, Endo M, Watanabe A, Shimoda T, et al. Utility of immunohistochemistry analysis for cyclo-oxygenase 2 in differential diagnosis of osteoblastoma and osteosarcoma. J Clin Pathol 2007;60:410-4.  Back to cited text no. 8
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5], [Figure 6], [Figure 7]



 

Top
   
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
Abstract
Introduction
Case Report
Discussion
References
Article Figures

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed6833    
    Printed171    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded371    
    Comments [Add]    

Recommend this journal