Osteoid osteoma of the elbow: a diagnostic challenge.
BACKGROUND
Osteoid osteoma is a painful benign neoplasm that is rarely found in the elbow region.


METHODS
The study included fourteen patients, and we believe that this is the largest reported series of patients with osteoid osteoma of the elbow evaluated at one institution. Most of the patients had had symptoms for a prolonged period and had had multiple invasive procedures before an accurate diagnosis was made. Although findings on physical examination generally are nonspecific and are not always accurate in localizing the lesion, plain tomograms and computed tomography scans were most helpful in identifying the nidus in the present study. Thirteen of the patients had limited motion of the elbow before the definitive diagnosis was made, and ten of these thirteen had a mean flexion contracture of 38 degrees.


RESULTS
Removal of the nidus resulted in relief of pain and improvement in the range of motion of the elbow in all fourteen patients. A persistent postoperative flexion contracture was more common in the patients who had had a previous arthrotomy of the elbow than in those who had not had that procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to recognize this uncommon entity to avoid the morbidity associated with a prolonged delay in diagnosis. Because the symptoms resolve after excision of the lesion, the surgeon can avoid unnecessary soft-tissue dissection and release of the contracture.
Weber
K L
KL
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Morrey
B F
BF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004550:Elbow; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010017:Osteoma, Osteoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011884:Radius; D014457:Ulna