Abstract
Aim: To describe the clinical, radiological and pathological features of this rare subtype of osteoblastoma diagnosed pre-operatively and treated by excision.
Conclusion: Toxic osteoblastoma is a benign bone forming tumour that presents with systemic symptoms of fever, anorexia and weight loss.
It has a characteristic radiographic appearance with marked periostitis in the involved bone mimicking osteosarcoma and associated focal abnormality in juxtaposed skeletal sites.
With the help of two previously reported cases from the literature of aggressive bone forming tumours in children who presented with marked anorexia and cachexia diagnosed as osteomyelitis and osteosarcoma and treated by ablative surgery this tumour was correctly diagnosed with planned subtotal scapulectomy and reconstruction enabling a good functional result. The systemic symptoms fully resolved following surgery with return of appetite and weight gain.
Correspondence should be addressed to BOOS at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35 - 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
