Una bambina molto in gamba...: alla ricerca del suo dolore

Osteoid osteoma is a condition that causes pain and limping in the lower extremity. The- refore, a thorough investigation is necessary in preschool children with prolonged pain and limping. The paper presents the case of a 6-year-old girl with severe nocturnal pain in her tibia. X-ray and MRI did not show any abnormalities, but a technetium bone scan revealed an osteoid osteoma in her femoral neck. CT scan confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent ablative treatment with focused ultrasound guided by MRI. When osteoid osteoma is suspected, standard radiology should be the initial diagnostic ima- ging. However, it is important to extend the imaging to the entire femur if the pain radia- tes from the femur to the leg. If the standard x-ray is inconclusive, a CT scan or techne- tium bone scan should be considered.