Neglected foreign body of the phalanx in a child masquerading as an osteoid osteoma: case report

Foreign body granuloma of the phalanx is an exceptionally rare entity in pediatric populations. Herein, we present a case involving a 10-year-old male patient with a granuloma of the proximal phalanx of the right index finger, initially misinterpreted as an osteoid osteoma on magnetic resonance imaging. The lesion manifested as a progressively enlarging, painful swelling over five months, with no antecedent trauma reported. Surgical exploration revealed a plant thorn embedded within an osteolytic lesion, encased by granulomatous tissue. This case underscores the importance of considering intraosseous foreign bodies in the differential diagnosis of osteoid osteoma.