Fibrous histiocytoma (fibroxanthoma) of a cervical vertebra. A report with a review of the literature.

A patient with a benign appearing intraosseous fibrous lesion of the cervical vertebra is presented. The lesion had the histologic features of non-ossifying fibroma (metaphyseal fibrous defect). Because of its atypical location and unusual radiologic appearance, the lesion was diagnosed as a fibrous histiocytoma, a tumor whose histology is similar to non-ossifying fibroma. The literature was reviewed for similar cases located outside the metaphysis of the long bones. Support is given for designating such lesions as fibrous histiocytomas rather than non-ossifying fibromas.