Postoperatively there was a dramatic improvement in the neurological status and the patient attained ambulatory power in lower limbs within 3 weeks. Only 97 cases of spinal osteochondroma have been reported to date. The solitary type was the most common 72 of 97 cases. Usually osteochondromas arise from the pedicles or laminae and in rare instances from the articular facets, and can be dealt with en masse excision from posterior approach. If the exostosis arises from the vertebral body, anterior approach is preferred.
Plain roentgenograms are inconclusive.
CT Scan better delineates the bony excrescence in bones where radiographs are not particularly helpful, as in pelvis and spine. MRI scan is extremely effective for assessment of the size and extent of the bony stalk, as well as of the cartilagenous cap. T2 weighted images show well defined bone, cartilage and marrow signal intensities. MRI of spinal osteochondroma shows an outer osteochondral layer and an ossified control mass. In this case, the osteochondroma arose from D10 superior facet and was excised without compromising stability by facetectomy.