INTRACANALICULAR OSTEOCHONDROMA PRODUCING SPINAL-CORD COMPRESSION IN HEREDITARY MULTIPLE EXOSTOSES

Spinal cord compression is an unusual but potentially catastrophic man ifestation of hereditary multiple exostoses (HMEs). Isolated, osteocho ndromas are usually of little significance. However, if they are locat ed near neurologic structures, they may cause irritation due to mechan ical compression. In patients with HMEs who present with neck or back pain, and particularly in those who have neurologic symptoms in the up per or lower extremities, a diagnosis of intracanalicular osteochondro ma should be presumed until proven otherwise. Prompt diagnosis and sur gical excision affords the best prognosis for these patients who have spinal cord compression secondary to intracanalicular osteochondroma.