Vanishing Bone Disease: The Unseen Seen

Abstract

Vanishing bone disease (Gorham disease) is an uncommon bone pathology that is characterized by a continuous replacement of bone with the abundance of endothelial cells. It is usually nonfamilial, but maybe familial and occurs periodically in children and young adults. The lesion is usually nonexpansile and monocentric, rarely polyostotic, but locally aggressive. Though asymptomatic cases have been reported, clinical symptoms include pain, functional disability and swelling of the involved area. Pathologic fracture of the involved bone has also been noted in some patients. Surgical treatment, as well as radiotherapy, forms the main basis of treatment modality.