Intra-Articular Osteoid Osteoma of the Hip: An Observation and the Review of the Literature

Abstract

Osteoid osteoma is a common benign bone tumor that affects young adults and has a typical clinical and radiographic presentation in long bones. However, when it appears in unusual intra-articular locations, the clinical symptomatology is then atypical and can lead to misdiagnosis constituting a diagnostic challenge for clinicians and causing delay in management. We present the case of a girl of 16 years with an osteoma osteoid intra-articular right hip involving the femoral head. This unusual location was the cause of unexplained pain and a delay in diagnosis of 20 months after the onset of symptoms, as the initial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination could not identify the lesion. The tomodensitometry is in this indication the most specific examination which made it possible to evoke the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. Once the diagnosis is made, given the complexity of the location, it makes it difficult to access radio-guided techniques. The open surgical excision allowed healing with complete disappearance of pain. After complete surgical excision of the tumor, histopathological examination confirmed the final diagnosis of intra-articular osteoid osteoma. No recurrence was observed.