Sub Cortical Osteoid Osteoma of the Capitulum: A Case Report

Osteoid osteoma near the joints is a rare case which is difficult to diagnose. Osteoid osteomas refer to solitary, benign, agonizing lesions of the bone with a nidus of 1.5 to 2 cm, which consists of osteoid, osteoblasts, and varying quantity of fibrovascular stroma. This study reports the case of 37-year-old man with a painful flexion contracture of left elbow for 18 months, then was diagnosed a peri-articular osteoid osteoma. Any attempt for movement, whether passive or active, exacerbated the pain. His conditions was treated as tennis elbow and treated for several months, but his pain persisted continuously. A subcortical osteoid osteoma was observed in fine-cut CT scan within the posterior cortex of the capitulum. Thus, a wide en bloc surgical excision of the nidus was implemented, with total mitigation of pain and quick return to daily activities. It is stressed that history of disease and detailed physical examination can help diagnosis.