Osteoid osteoma

There is here recorded the detailed history of an instance of an osteoid of the neck of the astragalus in a child. In the early stages of the disease there was such a marked swelling of the ankle extending up along the heel cord that the clinical appearance suggested the diagnosis of a tuberculous arthritis. Immobilization gave no relief, and an arthrotomy did not disclose the real pathological process. The persistence of the greatest pain and tenderness in the anterior portion of the ankle in the region of the astragalus, and the final appearance of a localized rarefaction in the neck of the astragalus led to the correct diagnosis, and the surgical cure of the disease. The specific purpose of this report is to direct attention again to the disease, osteoid osteoma, which is fairly common. It is a lesion with a triad of characteristic subjective and objective symptoms. Osteoid osteoma will be recognized more frequently if these symptoms and the possible existence of this disease are kept in mind.