title: Primary xanthoma of calcaneus bone: Case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Xanthoma (or xanthofibroma) is a benign proliferative lesion, mostly seen in soft tissue. Xanthoma of bone is very rare benign primary bone tumor, more frequently seen in men and in patients over 20 years of age. Histologically, it is characterized by mononuclear macrophage-like cells, abundant foam cells, and multinucleated giant cells. It is sometimes discovered coincidentally and the most frequent symptom is pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a 50-year-old healthy male patient with primary xanthoma of the calcaneus, who was treated by curettage and bone cement. He presented with a pathological fracture in a calcaneus bone lesion. Giant cell tumor was suspected on X-ray and MRI. Curettage and bone cementing was done through the posterolateral approach. Lipid profile was normal and histological examination revealed findings consistent with primary xanthoma of calcaneus bone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To avoid an erroneous diagnosis, all material should be examined microscopically, the radiological features of the lesion should be studied properly and lipid profile should be investigated to differentiate between primary and secondary xanthoma. Primary xanthoma may be treated with curettage and bone graft while secondary xanthoma is treated nonsurgically and the skeletal manifestations will disappear with systemic treatment of hyperlipidemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present this case to raise the suspicion of this lesion that is rarely described in the literatures. This is the first case of primary xanthoma of calcaneus bone that has been reported in Qatar.
authors.affiliation: Hamad General Hospital, Orthopedic Department, HMC, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Ghalib
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Hamad General Hospital, Orthopedic Department, HMC, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Dosari
authors.affiliation: Hamad General Hospital, Orthopedic Department, HMC, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Muatasim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Mahi
authors.affiliation: Hamad General Hospital, Orthopedic Department, HMC, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: sabolfotouh86@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sameh M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Abolfotouh
keywords: Primary xanthoma of calcaneus bone; Xanthofibroma; Xanthoma of the bone