Chondromyxoid fibroma

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Chondromyxoid fibromas (CMFs) are extremely rare, benign cartilaginous neoplasms that account for <1% of all bone tumours.

Epidemiology 

The majority of cases occur in the second and third decades, with approximately 75~75% of cases occurring before the age of 30 years 1,12-15.  There is no recognised gender predilection 18. ExamplesHowever, examples have however been seen in patients up to the age of 75 years. In some series there is a male predilection, whilst in others no such distribution is found 2,12.

Clinical presentation

Typically patients present with progressive pain, often long standing and/or bony swelling and restricted range of movement in affected limb 3,12. The latter is most often the case in bones with little overlying soft tissues (e.g. short tubular bones of the hands and feet). 

Pathology

The tumour comprises of a variable combination on chondroid, myxoid, and fibrous tissue components organised in a pseudolobulated architecture 20.

Macroscopic appearance

On gross examination they are typically seen as solid glistening tan-gray intraosseous masses.

Histology

Occasional osteoclast-like giant multinucleated cells are encountered particularly at the periphery. Most cells are morphologically bland, and mitotic figures are rare or absent 13.  

Location

Most chondromyxoid fibromas are located in the metaphyseal region of long bones (60%), and may extend to the epiphyseal line and even rarely abut the articular surface 3,12. They are almost never just epiphyseal 3.  

The classical site is the upper one-third of the tibia, which accounts for 25% of all cases, with the small tubular bones of the foot, the distal femur and pelvis being other relatively common locations 12

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph
  • often seen as a lobulated, eccentric radiolucent lesion
  • long axis parallel to long axis of long bone
  • no periosteal reaction (unless a complicating fracture present)
  • geographic bone destruction: almost 100%
  • well defined sclerotic margin: 86~85%
  • there can be presence of septations (pseudotrabeculation): 57~602
  • there can be presence of matrix calcification in small porportion cases: 12.5%1
MRI

MR features are often not particularly specific. Signal characteristics include

  • T1: low signal
  • T1 C+ (Gd)
    • the majority (~70%) tend to show peripheral nodular enhancement
    • ~30% diffuse contrast enhancement and this can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous 19
  • T2: high signal
Bone scanNuclear medicine

AOn bone scans, the scintigraphic "doughnut"doughnut sign" has been described in this tumour type 11. However, this is very nonspecific and can be seen in many other bone lesions.

Treatment and prognosis

They are benign lesions and malignant degeneration is rare. They are usually treated with curettage which however have a high recurrence rate of 25%. As such if an en-bloc resection is possible this is advisable 14

History and etymology

It is thought to have been initially described by H L Jaffe and L Lichtenstein in 1948 7.

Differential diagnosis

General imaging differential considerations include

  • -<p><strong>Chondromyxoid fibromas (CMFs)</strong> are extremely rare, benign cartilaginous neoplasms that account for &lt;1% of all bone tumours.</p><h4>Epidemiology </h4><p>The majority of cases occur in the second and third decades, with approximately 75% of cases occurring before the age of 30 years <sup>1,12-15</sup>.  There is no recognised gender predilection <sup>18</sup>. Examples have however been seen in patients up to the age of 75 years. In some series there is a male predilection, whilst in others no such distribution is found <sup>2,</sup><sup>12</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Typically patients present with progressive pain, often long standing and/or bony swelling and restricted range of movement in affected limb <sup>3,12</sup>. The latter is most often the case in bones with little overlying soft tissues (e.g. short tubular bones of the hands and feet). </p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The tumour comprises of a variable combination on chondroid, myxoid, and fibrous tissue components organised in a pseudolobulated architecture <sup>20</sup>.</p><h5>Macroscopic appearance</h5><p>On gross examination they are typically seen as solid glistening tan-gray intraosseous masses.</p><h5>Histology</h5><p>Occasional osteoclast-like giant multinucleated cells are encountered particularly at the periphery. Most cells are morphologically bland, and mitotic figures are rare or absent <sup>13</sup>.  </p><h5>Location</h5><p>Most chondromyxoid fibromas are located in the metaphyseal region of long bones (60%), and may extend to the epiphyseal line and even rarely abut the articular surface <sup>3,12</sup>. They are almost never just epiphyseal <sup>3</sup>.  </p><p>The classical site is the upper one-third of the tibia, which accounts for 25% of all cases, with the small tubular bones of the foot, the distal femur and pelvis being other relatively common locations <sup>12</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Chondromyxoid fibromas (CMFs)</strong> are extremely rare, benign cartilaginous neoplasms that account for &lt;1% of all bone tumours.</p><h4>Epidemiology </h4><p>The majority of cases occur in the second and third decades, with ~75% of cases occurring before the age of 30 years <sup>1,12-15</sup>.  There is no recognised gender predilection <sup>18</sup>. However, examples have been seen in patients up to the age of 75 years. In some series there is a male predilection, whilst in others no such distribution is found <sup>2,</sup><sup>12</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Typically patients present with progressive pain, often long standing and/or bony swelling and restricted range of movement in affected limb <sup>3,12</sup>. The latter is most often the case in bones with little overlying soft tissues (e.g. short tubular bones of the hands and feet). </p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The tumour comprises of a variable combination on chondroid, myxoid, and fibrous tissue components organised in a pseudolobulated architecture <sup>20</sup>.</p><h5>Macroscopic appearance</h5><p>On gross examination they are typically seen as solid glistening tan-gray intraosseous masses.</p><h5>Histology</h5><p>Occasional osteoclast-like giant multinucleated cells are encountered particularly at the periphery. Most cells are morphologically bland, and mitotic figures are rare or absent <sup>13</sup>.  </p><h5>Location</h5><p>Most chondromyxoid fibromas are located in the metaphyseal region of long bones (60%), and may extend to the epiphyseal line and even rarely abut the articular surface <sup>3,12</sup>. They are almost never just epiphyseal <sup>3</sup>.  </p><p>The classical site is the upper one-third of the tibia, which accounts for 25% of all cases, with the small tubular bones of the foot, the distal femur and pelvis being other relatively common locations <sup>12</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><ul>
  • -<li>well defined sclerotic margin: 86%</li>
  • -<li>there can be presence of septations (pseudotrabeculation): 57% <sup>2</sup>
  • +<li>well defined sclerotic margin: ~85%</li>
  • +<li>there can be presence of septations (pseudotrabeculation): ~60% <sup>2</sup>
  • -</ul><h5>Bone scan</h5><p>A scintigraphic "doughnut sign" has been described in this tumour type <sup>11</sup>. However, this is very nonspecific and can be seen in many other bone lesions.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>They are benign lesions and malignant degeneration is rare. They are usually treated with curettage which however have a high recurrence rate of 25%. As such if an en-bloc resection is possible this is advisable <sup>14</sup>. </p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>It is thought to have been initially described by <strong>H L Jaffe</strong> and <strong>L Lichtenstein</strong> in 1948 <sup>7</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>General imaging differential considerations include</p><ul>
  • +</ul><h5>Nuclear medicine</h5><p>On <a title="Bone scan" href="/articles/bone-scan">bone scans</a>, the scintigraphic "<a title="Doughnut sign on bone scan" href="/articles/doughnut-sign-on-bone-scan">doughnut sign</a>" has been described in this tumour type <sup>11</sup>. However, this is very nonspecific and can be seen in many other bone lesions.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>They are benign lesions and malignant degeneration is rare. They are usually treated with curettage which however have a high recurrence rate of 25%. As such if an en-bloc resection is possible this is advisable <sup>14</sup>. </p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>It is thought to have been initially described by <strong>H L Jaffe</strong> and <strong>L Lichtenstein</strong> in 1948 <sup>7</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>General imaging differential considerations include</p><ul>

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