Chondroblastoma of the fourth lumbar vertebra diagnosed by aspiration biopsy: case report and review of the literature.

Background: A chondroblastoma is a primary benign bone tumor typically involving the epiphysis of long tubular bones. The occurrence of chondroblastoma in the vertebral column is exceptional. To the best of our knowledge, aspiration biopsy (AB) findings of a lumbar chondroblastoma have only been reported in 1 previous case.
Case: A 30-year-old female presented with lower back pain with a duration of 1 month. A CT scan of the 4th lumbar vertebra showed a heterogeneous lytic zone within the body and the right side pedicle surrounded by marginal sclerosis. A CT-fluoroscopy-guided AB was performed and rendered a relatively cellular material with round to oval-shaped cells with a discrete amount of cytoplasm and small nuclei. These cells were distributed in a single-cell manner as well as in groups along with multinucleated osteoclast-like cells. A cytological diagnosis of chondroblastoma was issued.
Conclusion: Identification of infrequent benign bone lesions in the vertebral column through AB is a challenge, yet it is of the utmost importance in order to render a correct diagnosis.
(Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.)