OSTEOID OSTEOMA UNDER THE AGE OF 5 YEARS - THE DIFFICULTY OF DIAGNOSIS

Ninety-one cases of histologically confirmed osteoid osteoma were coll ected during an 11-year period; of them, seven (7.6%) had onset of sym ptoms while younger than five years of age. Special diagnostic difficu lties were found in this specific age group: most cases were misdiagno sed or diagnosed incorrectly. The time between the onset of symptoms a nd the diagnosis varied from three months to five years. Although pain was present in six patients, in four cases, other concomitant signs a nd symptoms attracted more attention and led to a misdiagnosis and unn ecessary invasive procedures. Gait disturbance (limp) was the second m ost frequent sign and was always present when the lower extremity was affected. In five cases, initial radiographs were not conclusive. Bone scans were very sensitive and conclusive in three cases where radiogr aphs were atypical. Computerized tomograms always located the tumor.