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Chondrosarcoma arising within synovial chondromatosis of the lumbar spine

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Abstract

Synovial chondromatosis is an uncommon benign neoplasm that usually affects large appendicular joints and only rarely the spine. There are only a few small series and case reports documenting malignant transformation of synovial chondromatosis into secondary chondrosarcoma, typically within the hip in the setting of recalcitrant disease and multiple recurrences. Chondrosarcoma arising in synovial chondromatosis of the spine is exceedingly rare, with only one previously published case report involving the craniocervical junction. We present a case of chondrosarcoma arising within synovial chondromatosis of the lumbosacral spine, with the diagnosis made at the time of initial presentation. We describe the clinical, imaging, and histopathological findings and review diagnostic criteria for this difficult diagnosis.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Sonia Watson Ph.D. and Desiree Lanzino Ph.D., P.T. for their help in editing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Laurel A. Littrell

  2. Department of Pathology and Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Carrie Y. Inwards

  3. Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Peter S. Rose

  4. Department of Radiology and Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Doris E. Wenger

Authors
  1. Laurel A. Littrell
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  2. Carrie Y. Inwards
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  3. Peter S. Rose
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  4. Doris E. Wenger
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Correspondence to Laurel A. Littrell.

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Littrell, L.A., Inwards, C.Y., Rose, P.S. et al. Chondrosarcoma arising within synovial chondromatosis of the lumbar spine. Skeletal Radiol 48, 1443–1449 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-019-03170-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-019-03170-8

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