Condensing osteitis of the medial clavicle--an intermediate-term follow-up.
BACKGROUND
Condensing osteitis of the clavicle is a benign idiopathic condition affecting the medial end of the clavicle, and is characterised by sclerosis and expansion of the clavicular head.


METHODS
Nine cases of condensing osteitis were reviewed. Their mean age was 37 years (range, 22 to 65 years). All patients presented with pain and swelling localised to the sternoclavicular region. The mean length of follow-up was 38 months (range, 9 to 77 months).


RESULTS
At latest follow-up, all patients had subjective improvement in their pain symptoms, but none had any subjective decrease in the swelling around the medial clavicle. Follow-up computerised tomography (CT) scans were available for analysis in 5 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show that in the intermediate term at least, the severity of the pain appears to improve with time, although the clinical swelling over the medial clavicle does not resolve significantly. Longer follow-up will further define the long-term natural history of this rare condition.
Sng
K K
KK
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529889.
Chan
B K
BK
Chakrabarti
A J
AJ
Bell
S N
SN
Low
C O
CO
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002968:Clavicle / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010000:Osteitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*