Background: Hereditary multiple osteochondromas (HMO) is a common pediatric condition defined by multiple cartilage-capped bony lesions. Spinal osteochondromas affect up to 68% of HMO patients. Although most are asymptomatic, intraspinal osteochondromas can cause significant neurological symptoms and morbidity. Limited guidelines exist regarding the use of advanced imaging to screen for spinal osteochondromas. This study evaluates the incidence of spinal osteochondromas detected through advanced imaging in pediatric HMO patients.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Included studies reported on the use of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in HMO patients under the age of 21. The primary outcome was spinal osteochondroma incidence. Secondary outcomes included imaging indication, symptoms, intraspinal lesion incidence, surgical intervention incidence, and postoperative outcomes. A meta-analysis of single proportions determined the pooled incidence of spinal osteochondromas, intraspinal lesions, and spinal surgery in HMO patients.

Results: Of 415 eligible articles, seven met inclusion criteria, including 198 HMO patients with a weighted mean age of 12 ± 1.0 years. MRI was the primary imaging modality in 175 patients (99%) with 136 (69%) imaged only per institutional screening protocols. Neurological symptoms were present in 41 subjects (21%) at the time of imaging. The pooled spinal osteochondroma incidence was 36% (95% CI, 24%-51%, event rate 72/183). Of these, 109 lesions (43%) were in the cervical spine, 41 lesions (38%) in the thoracic spine, and 21 lesions (19%) in the lumbar spine. Among those with spinal osteochondromas, 49% (95% CI, 37%-61%, event rate 41/85) had intraspinal lesions, and 21% (95% CI, 13%-33%, event rate 15/70) underwent surgery. Postoperatively, 17 patients (55%) experienced symptom resolution with no long-term complications reported.

Conclusions: Although spinal osteochondromas are prevalent among HMO patients, standardized screening protocols remain limited. Nonetheless, initial and serial screening is needed to prevent irreversible neurological damage. As global guidelines evolve, large multicentre prospective studies are needed to identify and standardize optimal timing for spinal osteochondroma screening in HMO patients. Methods: Level III.