A rare case of giant osteoblastoma of the sacrum.

BACKGROUND

An osteoblastoma is a rare benign bone tumor characterized by formation of osteoid tissue and primitive bone and occurs more often in men than in women. They are often secondary to an osteoid osteoma and can be located at any site on the skeleton. Lesions generally involve the posterior elements of the spine, such as the pedicle and the lamina.

CASE PRESENTATION: This study reports the case of a 25-year-old female who suffered from an osteoblastoma of the right sacrum with repeated swelling and pain in the right lumbosacral region for approximately 6 months. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis revealed a segmented, expansive, multiseptate lesion. Resection with wide margins was performed and a huge cavity of approximately 15 × 8 × 4.4 cm in the right sacrum and pelvis was formed after complete curettage of the tumor. The pathological analysis of the resected tissue was consistent with a benign osteoblastoma. A follow-up was performed 2 years later and the patient was eventually relieved of the pain, the mobility of the right leg was improved and the CT scan demonstrated no evidence of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Osteoblastomas most commonly occur in the spine but rarely also in the sacrum. Large core needle biopsies play an important role in the diagnostics. Intralesional surgery can be performed for treatment of osteoblastomas.