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Synovial chondromatosis is an uncommon benign neoplasm that usually affects large appendicular joints and only rarely the spine. There are only a few small series and case reports documenting malignant transformation of synovial chondromatosis into secondary chondrosarcoma, typically within the hip in the setting of recalcitrant disease and multiple recurrences. Chondrosarcoma arising in synovial chondromatosis of the spine is exceedingly rare, with only one previously published case report involving the craniocervical junction. We present a case of chondrosarcoma arising within synovial chondromatosis of the lumbosacral spine, with the diagnosis made at the time of initial presentation. We describe the clinical, imaging, and histopathological findings and review diagnostic criteria for this difficult diagnosis.

To determine how well conventional radiographic findings can predict the presence of dural ectasia in Marfan patients.Twelve Marfan patients without dural ectasia and 21 Marfan patients with dural ectasia were included in the study. Five radiographic measurements were made of the lumbosacral spine: interpediculate distance, scalloping value, sagittal canal diameter, vertebral body width, and transverse process width.The following measurements were significantly larger in patients with dural ectasia: interpediculate distances at L3-L4 levels (P0.03); scalloping values at the L1 and L5 levels (P0.05); sagittal diameters of the vertebral canal at L5-S1 (P0.03); transverse process to width ratios at L2 (P0.03). Criteria were developed for diagnosis of dural ectasia in Marfan patients. These included presence of one of the following: interpediculate distance at L4or = 38.0 mm, sagittal diameter at S1or = 18.0 mm, or scalloping value at L5or = 5.5 mm.Dural ectasia in Marfan syndrome is commonly associated with several osseous changes that are observable on conventional radiographs of the lumbosacral spine. Conventional radiography can detect dural ectasia in patients with Marfan syndrome with a very high specificity (91.7%) but a low sensitivity (57.1%).

In a previous article describing the anteroposterior angled caudad view the authors described a technique to more clearly evaluate the posterior elements of the lumbosacral spine, especially the articular facets, using standard radiographic techniques. This article details the specific pathology which can be evaluated. Multiple cases and examples of the view are given and comments regarding calcifications of the capsule of the articular facets and findings in trauma and post-surgical changes are described.

L'article rapporte le cas d'un patient de 30 ans victime d'un accident de la voie publique qui presente un traumatisme de la colonne vertebrale lombosacree avec luxation fracture L S S 1 unilaterale. L'auteur insiste sur l'aspect radiologique typique devant permettre un diagnostic precis en vue d'une prise en charge therapeutique correcte