UCSD Musculoskeletal Radiology

bonepit.com

Case of the week 008

Jan 14th 2003                  Submitted by David Sorge                                              Prior cases of the week

History.

17M low back pain

Pictures.

         

Questions.

What are the signal characteristics of this lesion.

Diagnosis

Answers.

Ecchordosis Physaliphora

 

Discussion.

Notochordal rest/hamartoma

Microscopic vestiges 2% of cadavers at autopsy

Spheno-occipital sysnchondrosis

Intraosseous notochord vestiges in adults

Prevalance uncertain

Neg x-rays and bone scans

Faint sclerosis on CT

                    MRI to diagnose and follow

Distinguishing notochordal rests from Chordoma

Lack of bone destruction

Lack of soft tissue extension

Lack of cellular atypia

Management

Follow with MRI

                    Vertebrectomy   

 

Prior cases of the week