Fifth lumbar vertebrae solitary osteochondroma arising from the neural arch, a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Osteochondromas are a benign outgrowth of bone and cartilage and one of the most common bone tumors that usually occur in long bones, with only 1–4% being located in the spine, more frequently in the cervical and upper dorsal region, and rarely the lumbar spine. Here, we report a case of lumbar spine (L5) osteochondroma arising from the neural arch. Case presentation A 30-year-old man presenting with a solid painless mass at the lower lumbar region. No neurological symptoms. Radiological examinations revealed an exophytic lesion in the fifth lumbar articular process, and the spinous process appears to be a solitary osteochondroma. Lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging showed a bony lesion covered by a 2-mm-thick cartilaginous cap. Surgical en bloc resection of the mass was performed, and the histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteochondroma. No evidence of recurrence at the end of 4-year follow-up. Conclusion Osteochondromas are benign tumors rarely present in the spine; diagnosis can be made by the typical appearance of the cartilaginous cap over the mass in the magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical excision is the best management option.