Tumor
Benign tumors of the spine, such as osteoid osteoma or osteoblastoma, will cause back pain that may gradually worsen over time. The pain is not dependent upon activity, and the characteristic night pain may be present.36 Eosinophilic granuloma and Langerhans histiocytosis may cause back pain with ”vertebra plana” findings on imaging studies.37 Tumors of neural tissue, such as schwannomas, can cause radiculopathic pain.38Calcifying-pseudo-neoplasm of the spine (“CAPNON”) is a benign slow growing tumor that can produce mass effect39 causing weakness and gait problems. Chordoma is the most common tumor of the sacrococcygeal region.36,40 Malignant tumors, such as Ewing’s sarcoma, are quite rare. Metastases of epithelial tumors (lung, breast, prostate) are common in the lumbar and sacral spine in older age.41 Tumors of hematopoietic tissue, such as lymphoma or multiple myeloma, are not rare.36