Osteoclastoma in an infant.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Conventionally, osteoclastoma is a benign but locally aggressive bone tumour with a tendency for local recurrence and rarely distant metastasis, diagnosed mainly in young adults, 15-40 years of age. Diagnosis before skeletal maturity is circumspect. We report a case of giant cell tumour of the clavicle (uncommon site) in a 2% year old girl that was first noticed at 6 months of age. METHOD: The case files of the patient as well as relevant literature were reviewed. RESULTS: A 2%-year-old girl presented with a 2-year history of right clavicularswelling first noticed at 6 months of age. The mass was initially painless and very slow growing involving the medial third of the clavicle. It rapidly increased in size to involve the entire clavicle with associated pain following manipulation by a traditional bone setter about 6 months after onset. She had incisional biopsy; the histological report of which was osteoclastoma. She then had excision of the mass with the involved clavicle uneventfully. She is being followed up for recurrence. CONCLUSION: Osteoclastoma can develop in early childhood far before skeletal maturity, may be congenital in manifestation and can affect anybone in the body.