title: Spinous Process Osteochondroma as a Rare Cause of Lumbar Pain.
abstract: We present a case of a 5th Lumbar Vertebra (L5) spinous process osteochondroma as a rare cause of lumbar pain in an old patient. A 70-year-old male presented with progressive and disabling lower lumbar pain. Tenderness over the central and left paraspinal area of the lower lumbar region and a palpable mass were evident. CT scan showed a mass arising from the spinous process of L5. Marginal resection of the tumor was performed through a posterior approach. The histological study revealed an osteochondroma. After surgery, pain was completely relieved. After one year there was no evidence of local recurrence or symptoms. Osteochondromas rarely involve the spine, but when they do symptoms like pain, radiculopathy/myelopathy, or cosmetic deformity may occur. The imagiologic exam of election for diagnosis is CT scan. When symptomatic the treatment of choice is surgical resection. The most concerning complication of osteochondromas is malignant transformation, a rare event.
authors: Trauma and Orthopaedics Department, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, 2600 009 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: Bárbara
authors: B
authors: Rosa
authors: Trauma and Orthopaedics Department, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, 2600 009 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Campos
authors: Trauma and Orthopaedics Department, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, 2600 009 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: André
authors: A
authors: Barros
authors: Trauma and Orthopaedics Department, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, 2600 009 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: Samir
authors: S
authors: Karmali
authors: Department of Pathology, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, 2600 009 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: Esperança
authors: E
authors: Ussene
authors: Trauma and Orthopaedics Department, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, 2600 009 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: Carlos
authors: 0000-0003-4799-4842
authors: C
authors: Durão
authors: Trauma and Orthopaedics Department, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, 2600 009 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: João
authors: J
authors: Alves da Silva
authors: Trauma and Orthopaedics Department, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, 2600 009 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: Nuno
authors: N
authors: Coutinho