Lumbar Solitary Osteochondroma with Lower Extremity Weakness: A Case Report

Abstract

Osteochondroma is the most common benign bone tumor. However, osteochondroma of the spine is relatively rare, accounting for only 4% to 7% of primary benign spinal tumors and less than 3% of all osteochondromas. Furthermore, symptomatic osteochondroma in the lumbar spine is much rarer. We herein describe a patient who was diagnosed with a lumbar solitary osteochondroma causing neurological symptoms of the lower extremities. The patient successfully underwent surgical removal of the lesion. A 79-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of difficulty walking and gradual development of numbness in his left upper extremity, which further exacerbated his difficulty walking. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed spinal stenosis at C3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 and an osseous solitary lesion. We performed a single-stage operation of both the cervical and lumbar spine. The osseous solitary lesion at L5/S1 was removed, and the pathological diagnosis was osteochondroma. After the operation, the patient’s upper extremity numbness and walking ability were improved. We experienced a rare case of a neurologically symptomatic solitary osteochondroma in the lumbar spinal canal. Moreover, this lesion was found at the same time as cervical spondylosis causing numbness. Therefore, we must perform careful examinations and thoroughly evaluate imaging and postoperative pathological findings.