Introduction and importance: Osteoblastoma (OB) is a rare benign bone tumor, representing less than 1% of all bone neoplasms. In contrast to the typical OB, a smaller subset known as 'epithelioid osteoblastoma (EO)' exhibits a distinctive inclination for local invasion and recurrence. This rare variant can pose diagnostic challenges, particularly due to its unclear clinical and radiological presentation.
Case presentation: This study details a clinical case of a 12-year-old boy experiencing pain from a lytic bone tumor located in the thoracic vertebrae (T3-T4), initially suggesting malignancy. Following extensive curettage, histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of EO through immunohistochemical staining. Subsequent follow-up at 3 months revealed the absence of no pain or recurrence of the lesion.
Clinical discussion: Distinguishing EO from a malignant tumor requires a multidisciplinary approach, considering clinical, radiographic, and histological features that differentiate the two entities.
Conclusion: The goal of this case presentation is to increase awareness regarding this recurrent tumor variant, which poses diagnostic challenges, particularly in distinguishing it from malignant tumors, including osteosarcoma.
Keywords: bone tumor; case report; epithelioid osteoblastoma; osteoblastoma; osteosarcoma.
Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.