Aggressive Osteoblastoma Research Articles

Osteopathological findings in mummified baboons from ancient Egypt

AbstractWe present the pathological findings in a historic population of 82 baboon mummies recovered from the animal sanctuary of Tuna‐el‐Gebel in Egypt, in which we were able to demonstrate a high prevalence of disease. In almost 20 per cent of the baboons, signs were present of chronic malnutrition causing bowing and shortening of the long bones. A further 15 per cent of the animals revealed features of chronic joint or vertebral deformities suggesting poor living conditions in their cages. There were three cases of post‐traumatic fractures, three of haematogenous osteomyelitis, one individual showed osteoporosis and one hyperostosis of the scapula of uncertain origin. Additionally, we found one tumour of the pelvic bones with features, which might be attributable to an aggressive osteoblastoma or an osteosarcoma. Our findings clearly demonstrate the high rate of bone abnormalities and the wide spectrum of diseases encountered in Egyptian baboon mummies. These observations contribute significantly to our understanding of the life of ancient Egyptian baboons and particularly to their living conditions.

Bone Scan Appearances of a Metastasizing Aggressive Osteoblastoma

A case of a metastasizing aggressive osteoblastoma of the ilium, demonstrated on sequential Tc-99m MDP bone scans over a period of eight years following initial diagnosis, is presented

Osteoblastoma and Osteoid Osteoma: Clinical and Morphological Features of 162 Cases

A study of 46 osteoblastomas and 91 osteoid osteomas, selected from a total of 162 cases proceeding from 15 Spanish Hospitals was done to establish epidemiological data on clinico-pathological parameters and to compare them with the findings of other authors. A comparative study between both tumors is done and emphasis is put on the discussion of aggressive osteoblastoma.

X-ray morphology and pathologic anatomy of osteoblastoma

Between 1974 and 1984, 24 patients with osteoblastomas were entered in the bone tumour registry of the Gerhard Domagk Institute of Pathology and Institute for Clinical Radiology of Westphalia. These cases are evaluated. Osteoblastoma is a benign primary bone tumour with a peak incidence between ten and 20 years and a sex ratio of 18 males to 4 females in our series. The site of predilection is the spine (59%) with long bones in second place (32%). The tumor is mostly situated in the medulla. Radiologically it usually appears as a well demarcated translucency with a narrow rim and marginal sclerosis. Variations in radiological appearance and the histology and treatment are described. A malignant variant, the "aggressive osteoblastoma", is discussed and one case is described. The classification of these cases is considered.

Aggressive Osteoblastoma

A recurrent osteoblastoma involving the acetabulum in a 27-year-old woman was found to be locally aggressive and histologically appeared to become more anaplastic with each recurrence. However, there was no evidence of distant metastases. Similar cases have been reported under such names as pseudomalignant or malignant osteoblastoma. In view of the prolonged clinical course without evidence of distal metastases, the term "aggressive osteoblastoma" seems to be more appropriate. The treatment of choice for such tumors should be further en bloc resection, avoiding the morbidity and possible mortality of the chemotherapy demanded by true malignant tumor of bone, as well as unnecessary ablative surgery.

Osteosarcoma resembling osteoblastoma

A series of 17 patients with osteosarcomas that histologically resembled osteoblastomas was studied. The ages of the 9 male and 8 female patients ranged from 11 to 58 years. The roentgenographic appearance was suggestive of malignancy in most cases. Two histologic features seemed most important in differentiating osteosarcoma from osteoblastoma. In the former, there is permeation of surrounding tissues and lack of "maturation" toward the edges, whereas osteoblastoma tends to show maturation peripherally and is circumscribed. Osteoblastoma-like osteosarcoma should be considered to be a malignant tumor because 7 of the 17 patients died of their disease. The authors believe that malignant osteoblastoma and aggressive osteoblastoma are really osteosarcomas that resemble osteoblastomas.

Letter to the Case

A study of 46 osteoblastomas and 91 osteoid osteomas, selected from a total of 162 cases proceeding from 15 Spanish Hospitals was done to establish epidemiological data on clinico-pathological parameters and to compare them with the findings of other authors.A comparative study between both tumors is done and emphasis is put on the discussion of aggressive osteoblastoma.

Surgical Management of Aggressive and Malignant Tumors of the Proximal Fibula

En bloc resection of tumors of the proximal fibula by a specified route allows safe exposure of the popliteal vessels and resection of the fibula, tibiofibular joint, and adjacent musculature. Type I (marginal excision) and Type II (wide intracompartmental resection) procedures performed in ten consecutive patients were evaluated. There were five male and five female patients; the average age was 18.9 years. The histologic diagnoses were osteosarcoma (2 patients), Ewing's sarcoma (3 patients), aggressive osteoblastoma (1 patient), giant cell tumor (3 patients), and "active" osteochondroma (1 patient). All resections achieved negative margins, with no local recurrences from 14 to 37 months after operation. Pathologic specimens showed a high incidence of direct muscle infiltration. Local complications included peroneal palsy (2 patients), flap necrosis (2 patients), and synovial fistula (1 patient). No secondary surgical procedures were required. At follow-up evaluation no knees showed ligamentous instability, and ankle function was good. Selected patients with aggressive (benign) and malignant tumors of the proximal fibula can be treated successfully by resection. A good functional outcome can be anticipated.

Aggressive osteoblastoma associated with subgaleal hematoma

A 26-year-old man with a chronic subgaleal hematoma containing calcific elements subsequently developed an aggressive osteoblastoma within the lesion. It is presumed that the osseous elements associated with the chronic process underwent neoplastic alteration. Such a lesion should be suspected in an individual with a long-standing subgaleal hematoma who reports changes occurring with respect to either size of the lesion or the development of tenderness.

Ultrastructure of osteoblastoma

The ultrastructure of three cases of osteoblastoma is described. The osteoblasts resemble normal osteoblasts with a few exceptions: irregular, indented nuclei, and occasional mitochondria with curved cristae and electron-lucent areas. The osteocytes and osteoclasts basically resemble their normal counterparts. There are also osteoprogenitor cells in different stages of maturation, some containing glycogen. The ultrastructure of an additional case histologically classified as aggressive osteoblastoma is described. It is essentially similar to the previous three cases of typical osteoblastoma. The only exception is the presence of osteoblasts with electron-lucent nuclei and less prominent organelles than the typical osteoblastoma cells have markedly indented and multilobed nuclei, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets. However, these differences from osteoblastoma cells are not pathognomonic. The final diagnosis of osteoblastic tumors rests at the light microscopy level.