We report a case of benign giant cell tumour which over a 20-year period has given rise to pulmonary and bony metastases. The indolent nature of these metastases is remarkable, with considerable implications for the long-term management of such cases.

1. Eight cases of monarticular brucellar arthritis in children are described. They have been followed up from between one and six years and all are now fully active and clinically normal.

2. The history was usually short, with limp, swelling of the joint and pain as the presenting symptoms. Constitutional disturbance was slight in all cases.

3. Diagnosis was confirmed by high concurrent serum agglutinin titres which were not found in control children of the same age from the same areas. Mercaptoethanol resistant antibody (IgG) and complement fixing antibodies were also demonstrated in the sera of four cases. One child had a positive blood culture.

4. The condition responded rapidly to rest and splintage and, to date, recovery seems to have been complete.