Distinguishing between a chondroblastoma and epiphyseal clear cell chondrosarcoma can be difficult and differences are listed.
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Epidemiology
Both bone tumours have been reported at any age, but chondroblastomas are usually seen in the 2nd and early 3rd decade whereas clear cell chondrosarcomas have their peak in the 3rd to 5th decade of life 1,2.
Men are more commonly affected in both entities, so the male gender predilection does not help.
Radiographic features
Radiographic features that help to differentiate the two entities include 1-3:
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size
clear cell chondrosarcomas are usually larger on detection
chondroblastomas are usually <5 cm
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location
clear cell chondrosarcomas usually have an epi-metaphyseal location
chondroblastomas are found in the epiphysis or apophysis
matrix calcification: more common in clear cell chondrosarcomas
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usually absent in clear cell chondrosarcomas
common in chondroblastomas, which might be solid or layered and distant to the lesion in the metaphysis
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surrounding adjacent bone marrow oedema 2,3
usually absent or mild in clear cell chondrosarcomas
prominent in chondroblastomas
T2 signal: the solid components tend to display a higher signal in clear cell chondrosarcomas than in chondroblastomas
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