[Osteoid osteoma of the phalanx in children and diagnostic problems: report of one case]

Osteoid osteoma is a benign osseous tumor of unknown origin, which affects preferentially the long bones. The localization in the phalanx is unusual and difficult to diagnose. We present a case of a 13-year-old girl, presenting with a painful swelling of the first phalanx of the right middle finger of 5 months duration, not responding to anti-inflammatory drugs. The diagnosis of tuberculosis of the bones was suggested at first (tuberculosis is endemic in our country), but the biology and the bone biopsy did not confirm the diagnosis. The lesion was excised, and the histology confirmed the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. Through our observation and after a review of the literature, we analyze the clinical and paraclinical appearance of this uncommon localization, the differential diagnosis, and finally the therapeutic possibilities.