Telangiectatic osteosarcoma

Case contributed by Imran Ahmad Khan
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Pain and swelling around the left elbow from one month.

Patient Data

Age: 40
Gender: Male
x-ray

An ovoid poorly defined expansile lytic lesion is seen involving the central medullary cavity of proximal shaft of ulna. There is wide zone of transition with no clear demarcation/sclerosis. No matrix calcification is seen. There is cortical breach with interrupted periosteal reaction posteriorly. Mild overlying soft tissue swelling is present. There is no pathological fracture.

ultrasound

A heterogeneous predominantly cystic mass involving proximal ulna. There is evidence of cortical breach posteriorly. Multiple internal small internal locules noted separated by thin echogenic internal septae. Cyst fluid shows bright internal echoes. Vascularity is seen at the periphery of the mass.

mri

A large lytic soft tissue mass is seen involving the central medullary cavity of proximal shaft of the ulna. The soft tissue mass is eroding the posterior cortex and extending into the overlying soft tissues. The mass consists of multiple cystic spaces of varying signal intensities separated by thin hypointense septae. The cystic spaces are mostly hyperintense on T1 as well as T2-weighted images indicating internal hemorrhage. Extensive fluid-fluid levels are seen. Relatively narrow zone of transition is seen in the ulna with no marrow edema in the adjoining segments. Mild edema in the surrounding muscles is noted. On post contrast scans, moderate heterogeneous enhancement of the mass is seen, mainly at the periphery and in the septae. Prominent enhancement of the surrounding muscles is also noted.

Case Discussion

A large lytic intramedullary soft tissue mass involving the proximal shaft of the ulna, eroding the posterior cortex and extending into the overlying soft tissues. Multiple cystic spaces filled with blood are seen with extensive fluid-fluid levels. MRI findings are indicative of an aggressive pathology, likely telangiectatic osteosarcoma. Differential diagnosis includes aneurysmal bone cyst. Points against this being an aneurysmal bone cyst include:

  • age of the patient.
  • lack of a distinct sclerotic rim/margin.
  • erosion of the cortex, and 
  • extension into the soft tissues.

Final diagnosis was given as telangiectatic osteosarcoma.

Diagnosis was confirmed on histopathology.

 

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