Abstract
Introduction Localised Langerhans-cell histiocytosis of bone (eosinophilic granuloma) is a benign tumour-like condition with a variable clinical course. Different forms of treatment have been reported to give satisfactory results. However, previous series all contain patients with a wide age range. Our aim was to investigate the effect of skeletal maturity on the rate of recurrence of isolated eosinophilic granuloma of bone excluding those arising in the spine.
Methods We followed-up 32 patients with an isolated eosinophilic granuloma for a mean of five years; 17 were skeletally immature.
Results No recurrences were noted in the skeletally immature group even after biopsy alone. By contrast, four of 13 skeletally mature patients had a recurrence and required further surgery.
Conclusions This suggests that eosinophilic granuloma has a low rate of recurrence in skeletally immature patients.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Jerzy Sikorski. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Australian Orthopaedic Association, Ground Floor, William Bland Centre, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.
None of the authors have received any payment or consideration from any source for the conduct of this study.
