SOLITARY OSTEOCHONDROMA OF L4 SPINOUS PROCESS - A RARE PRESENTATION

Osteochondroma is a benign tumour of the bone, predominantly involving long bones. In our case we report, a rare presentation of osteochondroma in the lumbar spine (L4) in an18 year old male patient. Osteochondromas are rarely seen in the spine and if found, are confined to the cervical-dorsal region. Very few cases have been reported till date of osteochondroma presenting in the lumbar spine. Even rare is an osteochondroma arising from the spinous process. In our case intra operatively a bony tumour with a cartilaginous cap was noted. Histopathology of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis of osteochondroma. Following excision of the tumour patient was symptom free.