OSTEOID OSTEOMA - THE DIFFICULT DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis of osteoid osteoma can be difficult. We present eight ch ildren where the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma was difficult, due to a clinical history suggesting an alternative diagnosis, misleading radio logical findings, or where the osteoid osteoma was in an unusual site. In some cases, diagnosis was only reached after biopsy, despite radio logical investigation and radioisotope studies. The diagnosis should b e considered in a child with bony pain or bony swelling, especially wh ere the history is a chronic one. We present a radiological algorithm for the investigation of patients suspected of having an osteoid osteo ma. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.