Approach to the management of solitary osteochondroma of the body of the pubis

Abstract

Osteochondroma is considered the most common benign tumor of the bone (20%–50% of all benign tumors); some consider them arising from small cartilaginous nodules present in the periosteum. They are developmental malformation or true neoplasm. Their growth usually ceases when skeletal maturity is reached. Pelvic osteochondroma is uncommon (5% of all osteochondromas). Osteochondroma of the pubic ramus is a rare entity, and the actual incidence is not known. We present the case of an 18-year-old female, who came with a swelling in the right groin for 5 years which was diagnosed to be osteochondroma on X-ray and three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) scan. En bloc excision was done as the patient wanted it to be removed for a cosmetic purpose and confirmed it to be nonmalignant osteochondroma. There has been no recurrence even after 1 year of follow-up. Treating doctor should be well versed with various approaches and 3D-CT scan is required for planning surgical excision. Pelvic osteochondromas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any bony mass in the pubic region.

Keywords

• en bloc excision
• osteochondroma
• pubic ramus
• three-dimensional computed tomography scan