Ankle swelling in a 6-year-old boy with unusual presentation: report of a rare case

A 6-year-old boy with a history of pain and swelling in the right ankle was referred to our medical center. A cascading algorithm helped us to better evaluate this case of an osteochondroma of talus. The diagnosis was based on clinical and radiologic findings and on histopathologic analysis of the excised tissue. Although osteochondroma, or osteocartilaginous exostosis, is a common skeletal neoplasm, it is rarely seen in the foot. The rare location, a young age group, and an inexperienced surgeon may make the diagnosis confusing. We presented a case that shows the importance of an orderly evaluation of a musculoskeletal neoplasm. This may be helpful for the physician to better understand the clinical implications of any case before attempting a surgical intervention.