Intramedullary osteoblastoma of the femur: a case report
Thompson, Ben Gibson, Jonathan Uldin, Hasaam Vaiyapuri, Sumathi Botchu, Rajesh
Thompson, Ben
Gibson, Jonathan
Uldin, Hasaam
Vaiyapuri, Sumathi
Botchu, Rajesh
Abstract
Introduction: Osteoblastoma is a rare primary bone tumour, and the lesions are typically intracortical affecting long-bone metaphysis and the posterior spine. The histological hallmark is characteristic networks of trabeculated woven bone, usually lined by osteoblasts within a vascularised stroma. This case report details an unusual case of an intramedullary osteoblastoma of the femur.
Case presentation: A 22-year-old male presented with an eight-month history of right knee pain on a background of a previous distal tibia non-ossifying fibroma. The patient underwent cross-sectional imaging, and a biopsy was obtained confirming a lesion in the distal femoral diametaphysis. MRI showed multiple internal fluid levels and septations with a sclerotic rim and associated marrow oedema, cortical sclerosis, and periosteal soft tissue oedema. Subsequent biopsy provided histological confirmation of osteoblastoma.
Conclusion: This case is presented to highlight the rare anatomical location for osteoblastoma: in the medullary canal of the distal femur.
MIDER Authors
Affiliations
University of Birmingham; The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Date
2026-06-11
Type
Article
Collections
Citation
Thompson B, Gibson J, Uldin H, Vaiyapuri S, Botchu R. Intramedullary osteoblastoma of the femur: a case report. Skeletal Radiol. 2026 Jun 11. doi: 10.1007/s00256-026-05282-4. Epub ahead of print.