RADIATION-INDUCED OSTEOCHONDROMA IN THE LUMBAR SPINE

A case of a radiation-induced osteochondroma occurring in the posterio r elements of the L3 vertebra in a 29-year-old woman is reported. At a ge 16 months, the patient was treated for an abdominal neuroblastoma. There were also radiation changes affecting the spine, ribs, and ilium . The lesion was excised ''en bloc'' and a spinal fusion performed. Th is is the third reported case of such a lesion occurring in the lumbar spine consequent to radiation therapy. The extremely long, latent per iod between radiation treatment and diagnosis of secondary tumor shoul d be noted.