Osteoid osteoma of the wrist joint resembling tenosynovitis

Osteoid osteoma of bones of the wrist joint is a relatively rare lesion. This article presents a series of three patients, one with osteoid osteoma of the styloid process of the radius and two with osteoid osteoma of the capitate bone. All of them had clinical symptoms resembling those of stenosing tenosynovitis of the wrist joint. X-rays, tomography and bone scan revealed the characteristic findings of osteoid osteoma. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment consisted of en bloc excision of these tumors. Following surgery patients were asymptomatic and had normal mobility of the affected wrist. In the first patient this has been maintained for the succeeding 27 years. It is suggested that in any case of persistent unexplained pain of the wrist or clinical symptoms resembling those of tenosynovitis, osteoid osteoma of the styloid process of the radius or of the carpal bones should also be included in the differential diagnosis. The recommended treatment of osteoid osteoma is "en bloc" excision of this tumour in the affected bone, resulting in complete relief of pain and absence of functional disturbances.