Teleangectatic osteosarcoma of the proximal femur: radiologic and pathologic correlations

Clinical Cases 06.12.2001
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Section: Musculoskeletal system
Case Type: Clinical Cases
Patient: 31 years, female
Authors: E. Bassetti, M. Mastantuono, F. Manganaro, F. Trenta
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Details
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AI Report

Clinical History

31 years old female with an aspecific pain localized at the level of the right hip during the last 4 months.

Imaging Findings

A 31 years old caucasian female with a clinical history of 5 month aspecific pain localized (referred)atthe level of the right hip. She underwent lots of clinical evaluations because of a high suspicion of spine lumbar pathology. But all the radiologic examinations for the lumbar spine where negative. She finally performed a conventional X ray of the pelvis that shows osteolitich lesion localizzed at the level of the proximal metaphisis of the right femur, disomogeneous with a multilacunar aspect extending to the femoral head. She also underwent an MRI examination and a biopsy. After this she had a wide margin segmental resection of the proximal right femor and femoral head with prothesis implantation.

Discussion

Teleangiectatic osteosarcoma is an uncommon histopathologic subtype that represents 4.5 -11 % of all osteosarcomas. Teleangiectatic osteosarcoma has hemorragic, cystic or necrotic spaces that occupy more than 90% of the lesion. At histologic analysis, the cystic cavities are composed of cavernous vessels and blood-filled spaces lined with osteoclastic giant cells. Viable malignant spindle cells with osteoid formation are seen in the periphery of the lesion and in the septation surroinding these cavities. Teleangiectatic osteosarcoma most commonly shows geographic bone destruction with a wide zone of transition. Aggressive periosteal reaction, cortical destruction, associated soft-tissue mass, and pathologic fracture are common features [1,2]. The cystic consistency of teleangiectatic osteosarcoma is reflected by its radiologic appearance. At MR imaging, hemorrahage is frequently observed as areas of high signal intensity. The lesion most often confused with teleangiectatic osteosarcoma is aneurysmal bone cyst. The most important feature for distinguishing teleangiectatic osteosarcoma from aneurysmal bone cyst is that the former has a rim of viable tumor cell about the cystic spaces that manifest as solid tissue along the lesion periphery and septation [3,4]. This viable tissue shows enhancement on CT or MR imges after intravenous administration of contrast material. Treatment of teleangiectatic osteosarcoma is similar to that of conventional osteosarcoma and consists of chemoteraphy followed by wide surgical resection and limb salvage or amputation [5]. Prognosis of teleangiectatic osteosarcoma was previously thought to be much worse than that of conventional osteosarcoma.

Differential Diagnosis List

High grade osteosarcoma, suggesting teleangectatic osteosarcoma

Final Diagnosis

High grade osteosarcoma, suggesting teleangectatic osteosarcoma

Liscense

Figures

Conventional X-Ray of the pelvic girdle. A-P projection.

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Conventional X-Ray of the pelvic girdle. A-P projection.

MRI Examination. Sagittal T1 and T2 “weighted” images.

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MRI Examination. Sagittal T1 and T2 “weighted” images.
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MRI Examination. Sagittal T1 and T2 “weighted” images.

MRI Examination. Axial T2 “weighted”images.

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MRI Examination. Axial T2 “weighted”images.
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MRI Examination. Axial T2 “weighted”images.

MRI

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MRI
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MRI

Gross specimen

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Gross specimen

Histologic examination

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Histologic examination