Unveiling the ‘unique bone’: a study of the distribution of focal clavicular lesions

Abstract

Clavicle is a unique bone for many reasons. There is no study discussing the differential diagnosis of clavicular lesions based on the site of occurrence or age at presentation. This study aims to determine whether the distribution of lesions affecting the clavicle and age at presentation aid in the differential diagnosis of focal clavicular lesions. Clinical notes, imaging and histopathological reports of the clavicular lesions between Jan 1999 and Jan 2006 were reviewed. Virtually, all patients had been referred as suspected neoplasm. Fifty-nine patients were identified. Patients <20 years (n = 27) had non-neoplastic or benign lesions. Patients between 20-50 years (n = 14) had predominantly non-neoplastic lesions. Patients >50 years (n = 18) had predominantly malignant lesions. The lesions most commonly affected the medial third (n = 35) and were predominantly non-neoplastic or benign. The middle third was affected in 15 patients and showed both benign and malignant lesions. The lateral third was least affected with predominance of malignant lesions. The clavicle is not a primary common site for any particular tumour; hence, diagnosis of the lesions can be challenging. Our study has suggested that few factors like age and site of the lesions may be helpful in diagnosis.