Chondrosarcoma of the dorsal spine – A rare case

Chondrosarcomas of the spine are rare tumors and represent <10% of all chondrosarcomas. In the spine, they may arise from vertebral bodies or posterior elements. They may occur in patients ranging from 13 to 78 years of age. Here, we present a case of a 25-year-old female who presented with complaints of lower backache, stiffness in both lower limbs, and tingling sensation in the right lower limb. On examination, both power and sensations were decreased below waist. Magnetic resonance imaging spine revealed an extradural lesion at D5 vertebral body level with severe cord compression. We received the mass in multiple fragments which were grayish-white and firm to hard in consistency. Microscopically, a chondroid tumor was seen with cells arranged in lobules in abundant myxoid matrix. The neoplastic chondrocytes were large in size and had bizarre hyperchromatic nuclei. Few binucleate and multinucleate forms were also seen along with occasional atypical mitoses. There was permeation and destruction of the host bone, and the tumor was seen invading the marrow spaces. Few foci showed high cellularity. No osteoid formation was seen by the tumor. The tumor was diagnosed as Chondrosarcoma – Grade II.