Osteochondroma, or osteocartilaginous exostosis, is the most common
skeletal neoplasm. The cartilage capped subperiosteal bone projection accounts for 20-50% of benign bone tumors and
10-15% of all bone tumors.1 Osteochondromas occur most frequently in the first two decades of life with a ratio of
male to female of 1.5 to 1.
Osteochondromas
are found most often in long bones, especially the distal femur and proximal tibia, with 40% of the tumors occurring
around the knee.2
Osteochondromas
are most likely caused by either a congenital defect or trauma of the perichondrium which results in the herniation
of a fragment of the epiphyseal growth plate through the periosteal bone cuff. Osteochondromas can either be
flattened (sessile) or stalk-like (exostosis) and appear in a juxta-epiphyseal location. The lesions occur only in
bones that develop from cartilage (endochondral ossification). Osteochondromas are also the result of radiation
therapy in children. After the close of the growth plate in late adolescence there is normally further growth of the
osteochondroma. Clinically, osteochondromas present with pain due to mechanical irritation or a painless mass. A
fracture can occur through the stalk of the lesion which also causes pain.
Hereditary
multiple osteochondromatosis is an autosomal dominant condition that can lead to both sessile and pedunculated
lesions. The lesions may occur on different bones or on the same bone, and symptoms present in the first decade of
life. The risk of malignant transformation to chondrosarcoma in hereditary multiple osteochondromatosis is unknown,
but may be 25-30% compared to approximately 1% for a solitary osteochondromas.3 The risk of malignant
degeneration increases as the number and size of the osteochondromas increases. In general, a sessile lesion is more
likely to degenerate into sarcoma than an exostosis.
Plain
films are normally enough to diagnose osteochondromas. Sessile lesions cover a wide area and as a result cause
metaphyseal widening or a “trumpet shaped deformity” on x-ray. Lesions with stalks are often found more distally and
are common over the posterior femoral. metaphysis.
CT
is helpful in determining if the marrow and cortices of the lesion are continuous with the bone. The relationship of
the lesion to other structures and the thickness of the cartilage cap are best delineated with MRI.
On
gross examination, an osteochondroma is an irregular bony mass with a bluish gray cap of cartilage. Opaque yellow
cartilage has calcification within the matrix. The base of the lesion has a rim of cortical bone and central
cancellous bone. Occasionally, a bursae develops over an osteochondroma. Normally, the cartilage cap ranges from 1-6
mm thick. Over 2 cm of cartilage or renewed growth of a dormant lesion are signs of possible malignant
transformation. Under the microscope, an osteochondroma has endochondral ossification on the basal surface of hyaline
cartilage so it resembles a normal growth plate with rows of chondrocytes. The cartilage is more disorganized than
normal, has binucleate chondrocytes in lacunae, and is covered with a thin layer of periosteum. There is no treatment
necessary for asymptomatic osteochondromas. If the lesion is causing pain or neurologic symptoms due to compression
it should be excised at the base. As long as the entire cartilage cap is removed there should be no recurrence.
Patients with many especially large osteochondromas should have regular screening exams and radiographs to detect
malignant transformation early.
References
Giudici,
M.A. et al, Cartilaginous Bone Tumors, Radiologic Clinics of North America,31(2):237-259, March 1993.
Bullough,
Peter, Orthopaedic Pathology (third edition), Times Mirror International Publishers T Limited, London,
1997
Gitelis,
S. et al, Benign Bone Tumors, Instructional Course Lectures, 45:42646, 1991.
Huvos,
Andrew, Bone Tumors: Diagnosis. Treatment and Prognosis, W.B. Saunders, Co.,
1991.
Adapted, with permission from bonetumor.com By Henry DeGroot III, M.D.
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