Benign osteoblastoma of the spine--report of two cases.

Benign osteoblastoma is a rare spinal tumor, with the posterior element mainly involved. Symptoms do vary and there is a long diagnostic delay, especially in young people. We present two cases of benign osteoblastoma. One occurred in the atlas and presented with a painless neck mass. The other occurred in the lumbar spine with symptoms of long-term spinal pain and radicular pain. Preoperative Technetium bone scan and computed tomography (CT) resulted in exact localization and better operative planning. En bloc excision of tumor is indicated for complete pain relief and full return of spinal mobility.