A rare case of an aggressive osteoblastoma of the squamous temporal bone: a unique presentation with literature review

Abstract

Aggressive osteoblastoma is a rare osteoid tissue forming tumour commonly affecting the spine with predilection for the posterior elements. Calvarial involvement is extremely rare with only two reported cases in the literature. Due to its overlapping clinical, radiographic and histological features with ossifying fibroma, benign osteoblastoma and osteosarcoma, it is very difficult accurately to diagnose this lesion at an early stage. A rare case of an aggressive osteoblastoma of the squamous temporal bone in a young male is presented here which was misdiagnosed twice before reaching the final diagnosis by correlating clinical, radiographic and histopathological features.

Keywords: Ossifying fibroma; Osteoblastoma; Osteosarcoma.