RESUMO
STUDY DESIGN: A case report and review of the literature. OBJECTIVES: To discuss the chondroblastoma of the lumbar spine and review the literatures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 36-year-old woman had back pain and pain radiating to the left lateral abdomen. Straight leg rais-ing was not limited. Plain roentgenograms show a small round radiolucent area in left L1 vertebral pedicle and expansile sclerotic margin in L1 vertebral body. T1-weighted MR images show the lesion displaying low signal intensity, T2-weighted images show high signal intensity, Gadolinium enhanced images show a necrotic area with low signal intensity in the lesion. RESULTS: The mass of left L1 transverse process and pedicle was excised through posterior approach and pedicle screws were inserted T12 and L2 pedicle. L1 vertebral body was excised through anterior approach and a titanium mesh was inserted. It was a ovoid mass, measured 2.3 x 2 x 1.5 cmcm in size and histologically diagnosed as chondroblastoma consisting of chondroid matrix and chondroblast. Soft tissue nodule shows chicken-wire calcification. All the symptoms were relieved at 14 months follow-up and no evidence of recurrence on follow-up roentgenogram and bone scan. However, the patient had persistent lower back pain. CONCLUSIONS: A case of chondroblastoma in L1 vertebral body was successfully excised by combined anterior and posterior approach and stabilized with a titanium meh.