Clear cell chondrosarcoma is a rare cartilaginous tumour of low-grade malignancy. Although it has a characteristic histological appearance, its radiological features and clinical presentation often mimic a benign lesion. Herein, we describe the case of a patient with a clear cell chondrosarcoma of the right proximal femur that had an atypical appearance of chronic avascular necrosis on initial plain radiographs, which made preoperative diagnosis a challenge. In addition, the tumour also had extensive areas of aneurysmal bone cyst-like changes, which is not only a rare histologic phenomenon in clear cell chondrosarcoma, but also a confounding factor in the interpretation of the radiologic findings.
Adult ; Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Bone Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Chondrosarcoma ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Femur ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Hip ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Necrosis ; pathology ; Osteoarthritis ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography ; Whole Body Imaging