Soft-tissue osteoma in the neck paravertebral space
Cite this article as: Li L, Wang Y, Zhao YF, Lu HZ, Zou SM, Luo DH. Soft-tissue osteoma in the neck paravertebral space. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2012;2(2):139-141. DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2223-4292.2012.04.02
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Soft-tissue osteoma in the neck paravertebral space

Lin Li1§, Yong Wang1§, Yan-Feng Zhao1, Hai-Zhen Lu2, Shuang-Mei Zou2, De-Hong Luo1

1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Cancer Hospital & Institute, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; 2Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital & Institute, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
§The first two authors contributed equally to this work.

Corresponding to:
De-Hong Luo, MD. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Cancer Hospital & Institute, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Tel: +(86) 10-87788550. E-mail: cjr.luodehong@vip.163.com.

Abstract

Osteoma is a rare, slow-growing benign neoplasm located primarily in the skeleton. Soft-tissue osteoma is exceedingly rare. We report a case of soft-tissue osteoma occurring in the neck paravertebral space in a 25-year-old man. CT examination demonstrated a cancellous densely ossified mass in the right side of neck paravertebral space, with irregular lobulation and clear margin, but without relation to the adjacent vertebrae. The mass was resected, and the pathology confirmed soft-tissue osteoma.

Key words

Soft-tissue osteoma; computed tomography

Submitted Apr 20, 2012. Accepted for publication Apr 27, 2012.
DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2223-4292.2012.04.02

A 25-year-old man had two years’ history of a hard mass in right neck. Physical examination revealed a hard, movable and nontender mass. The regional lymph nodes were non-palpable. The laboratory tests, chest radiograph and electrocardiogram were unremarkable. CT examination demonstrated a cancellous densely ossified mass in the right side of neck paravertebral space measuring 2.5 cm × 4.3 cm × 6.5 cm. The mass was irregular lobulated with a clear margin, and surrounded by adipose tissue and muscles, but without relation to the adjacent vertebrae (Figure 1, 2). The mass was completely resected. The histological examination showed the tumor was composed of matured trabecular bone, osteoblast cells, adipose tissue and hematopoietic tissue (Figure 3). Histological examination indicated the diagnosis of soft-tissue osteoma.

Figure 1
Figure 1 Axial CT images at soft tissue window (A) and bone window (B) depict a cancellous densely ossified mass in the right neck paravertebral space, with irregular lobulation and clear margin, surrounded by adipose tissue and muscles, and without direct communication with native vertebrae
Figure 2
Figure 2 Coronal (A) and sagittal (B) multiplanar reformations of contrast enhanced CT at soft tissue window depict the ossified mass
Figure 3
Figure 3 Hematoxylin-eosin stained photomicrograph of the mass (A: ×40, B: ×100) shows mature bone areas (★), hematopoietic marrow (black arrow) and adipose marrow (white arrow)

Acknowledgements

Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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