Parosteal osteosarcoma mimicking osteochondroma: A radio-histologic approach on two cases

Parosteal osteosarcoma (POS) is a slow-growing tumor which originates from the outer layer of the periosteum and represents 65% of surface osteosarcomas [1] and in our database accounts approximately for 4, 8% of all osteosarcomas [2]. Unlike conventional osteosarcomas, it involves an older age group typically in the 3^rd and 4^th decades of life and shows a slight female predilection [1, 3, 4]. The most common location of a POS is the posterior aspect of the distal femur accounting for approximately two thirds of all cases [5]. Confusion may rarely occur in differentiating POS from the sessile variant of osteochondroma on imaging studies. Herein, we report two cases of POS with sessile configurations arising from the posterior distal femur that simulated osteochondromas radiologically and histologically on the initial biopsy and emphasize on the imaging features that may lead to an erroneous diagnosis.

The study included two female patients aged 56 and 24 years old respectively. Both patients referred to our institution for evaluation of a palpable mass located at the postero-lateral aspect of the distal femur. Information regarding clinical history, physical examination and laboratory tests was recorded. Retrospective evaluation of the available imaging studies was carried out. Both cases were assessed with radiographs (antero-posterior and lateral views) and CT scans before and after contrast medium i.v. infusion. Additionally, one patient underwent a bone scan and an MRI study which included T1WSE before and after gadolinium administration and T2W FAT SAT sequences. Imaging results were compared with the initial biopsy findings and final histopathologic diagnosis.

Both patients presented with focal swelling and mechanical blockage of the left knee. The duration of symptoms was 24 and 36 months for each case with no related trauma or infection during this period. Physical examination revealed two hard, immobile tender masses at the postero-lateral aspect of the distal left femur associated with flexion restriction of the joint at 90° degrees. There was no vascular or neurological deficit of the affected limp. The patients did not notice any significant enlargement of the swelling during the period of the symptoms. Routine blood tests were not significant for any pathological findings.

Radiographs showed two "exophytic" mineralized masses with a sessile configuration attached to the posterior surface of the left distal femur metaphysis (case1: Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6, case 2: Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11; radiographs: 1-2, 7-8). No radiolucent cleft separated the masses from the host bone. The lesions maximum diameters were 5, 5 cm and 6 cm. Computed tomography demonstrated an intact and continuous femoral cortex encircling the masses. No definite separation between the medullar portion of the masses and the femur could be ascertained and they seemed to communicate. Moreover, one lesion (5, 5 cm) had mild involvement of the medullary canal on CT scan. Small unmineralized areas were observed mainly at the periphery of the lesions (Figures 3, & 9). On MR T1W images, one mass (5, 5 cm) had predominantly low SI compared to adjacent muscles and exhibited heterogeneous enhancement post gadolinium administration (Figures 10, & 11). T2W images with fat saturation displayed a heterogeneous lesion containing areas of low to intermediate SI mixed with hyperintense areas, located peripherally. A coexisting popliteal cyst was also noticed at the medial aspect of the popliteal fossa. T2 FAT SAT images additionally documented limited invasion of the medullar canal by the tumor; a finding that was initially suggested on CT scan (Figure 12). The mass was also hot on bone scintigraphy. Both radiographs and CT scans favored the diagnosis of an osteochondroma without excluding the possibility of a low-grade malignancy, like POS. A low-grade peripheral chondrosarcoma was not considered, the tumor developing inside the marrow. Initial biopsy results for both lesions suggested an osteochondroma. A subsequent surgical biopsy that was performed on one of the masses (5, 5 cm) yielded results suggestive of a low grade POS with a cartilaginous component. Owing to cortex continuity, the differential diagnosis was narrowed between a sessile osteochondroma and a low-grade POS and finally complete marginal resections were performed on both cases. Histologic evaluation of the resected specimens confirmed parosteal osteosarcomas (grade II) containing cartilaginous components (Figure 4, 5, & 6). For one of the cases (5, 5 cm), because it was not any longer feasible to perform a wider resection without evoking tumoral spread it was decided to continue with adjuvant radiation therapy and then closely follow up the patient in order to proceed with amputation only in case of recurrence. The other patient receives a scheduled clinical and imaging follow-up. Both patients continue to remain free of disease at the 24-month follow-up.

POS is a rare bone-forming malignant surface tumor which carries a much better prognosis than central, high-grade osteosarcoma (approximately 90% of patients after 5 years) [2]. It constitutes about 1, 7% of all benign and malignant neoplasms of bone [6]. Originally it was described as "benign and malignant parosteal osteoma" by Geschickter and Copeland in 1951 [7]. Clinically it presents as a hard, immobile swelling with no or slight pain and frequently associated with loss of motion range of the neighboring joint [2, 8]. The symptoms are often of prolonged duration [4]. Biologically, the tumor is slow-growing. Pulmonary metastases occur late in the course of the disease, usually following one or more local relapses. Therefore, surgical intervention focuses on the local control of the tumor [8]. Early recognition relies upon clinical suspicion and precise radiologic and pathologic evaluation. Apart from the posterior aspect of the distal femur, the tumor secondarily affects the proximal humerus followed by the proximal tibia [9]. Diaphyseal involvement is seen in up to 10% of cases [8]. In reference with the classic characteristics of the tumor, both masses were located at the postero-lateral portion of the distal femur and appeared hard, immobile and tender with associated limitation of the knee flexion on physical examination.

Macroscopically, POS presents as a dense and well-defined ossified mass attached to the underlying cortex [2]. On histologic grounds, the tumor mainly consists of hypocellular fibrous stroma with minimal atypia of spindle cells and extensive osteoid in the form of well-demarcated bony trabeculae, although smaller foci of cartilage are also encountered [1, 2]. A cartilaginous component is observed in more than 50% of all POSs and in approximately 25% of cases this component lies at the periphery of the tumor. Pathologists and surgeons must recognize this cartilaginous component so as not to confuse POS with osteochondroma [4].

Radiographically, POS presents as a densely mineralized lobulated mass with irregular margins and attached to the subjacent cortex [2, 9]. A characteristic finding is a linear radiolucent zone, separating the lesion from the host bone, except for the site of attachment, called the cleavage plane which represents the uncalcified thickened periosteum. However, this radiolucent cleft may be obliterated with advancing tumoral growth [3, 9]. CT scans define accurately the extent of the tumor and cortical integrity [8]. MRI images vary in relation to tumors size as well as the presence of dense osteoid, cartilage, hemorrhage, necrosis or areas of high grade tumor or dedifferentiation. MRI is optimal for exhibiting the appropriate biopsy site and potential medullary invasion prior intervention [8]. Cortex continuity with some peripheral erosions is a useful diagnosis key. Conversely, cortex and medullary continuity are diagnostic features of osteochondroma. Perhaps the different appearances of the medullary cavities of the lesions compared to the host bone should have raised suspicion. Additionally a high grade osteosarcoma developed inside an osteochondroma is very rare, but possible and has a very similar pattern [10]. A peripheral cartilaginous cap may be visible on both parosteal osteosarcoma and osteochondroma. A biopsy made at the periphery of the lesion may reinforce the diagnosis of osteochondroma, as in one of our cases. The final correct diagnosis was established after resection, leading to inadequate margins. The disappearance of the cleavage plane and the preservation of a continuous femoral cortex encircling the tumors are probably attributed to the gradual destruction of the cortex by the slowly growing tumors (Figure 13, 14, 15, & 16).

The differential diagnosis of POS may also include other diverse entities such as mature juxtacortical myositis ossificans, parosteal osteoma, fracture callus, Nora's lesion, periosteal osteosarcoma and/or chondrosarcoma that can be easily distinguished [4, 5, 11]. In the study of Lin J et al [11], the term "osteochondromalike parosteal osteosarcomas" was used to describe six surface bone-forming malignancies characterized by cortical continuity and no evidence of medullary communication or invasion as shown in our cases.

In conclusion, osteochondroma is the main counterpart of POS in terms of imaging differential diagnosis. Cortex continuity and in a lesser degree merge of medullary cavities, which are by definition expected in osteochondromas, may be atypically seen in POS. Awareness of these features and thorough radiologic-pathologic correlation is crucial in avoiding erroneous diagnostic considerations and treatment.