Management of Pelvic Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma after Urgent Spinal Decompression - A Report of 2 Cases

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic sarcoma presenting with neurologic symptoms is rare. Workup of neurological deficits, whether elective or emergent should address the possibility of a space occupying lesion including pelvic sarcoma. Poor biopsy technique and incomplete workup of musculoskeletal tumors results in misdiagnosis or major errors in 18% of biopsies. The sequelae of a suboptimal biopsy include local recurrence, a more extensive resection, or extremity amputation. Pelvic chondroblastic osteosarcoma presenting with neurological deficits has not been previously reported. We report two cases of chondroblastic osteosarcoma that were treated with urgent decompression of the lumbar spine due to neurologic symptoms. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Our two cases, a 25 year old Hispanic female and 22 year old Hispanic male, both presented with neurologic changes due to a space occupying tumor in the lumbar spine and pelvis. Both underwent spinal decompression following incomplete workup. A repeat biopsy was required in both cases due to a questionable initial diagnosis. Once the diagnosis was confirmed, they underwent definitive resection and treatment that was more morbid due to the primary decompressions. CONCLUSION: We stress the importance of proper biopsy techniques as well as the need to complete a full preoperative staging workup prior to any surgical procedures involving musculoskeletal tumors. We review the current literature on lumbar chondroblastic osteosarcomas and review the issues surrounding biopsy of musculoskeletal tumors. Our cases underline the need for complete workup and correct biopsy techniques to ensure patients have the best chance at tumor free survival with minimal morbidity.