Radiographic analysis reveals benign bone tumors to be common in children; study
A very interesting study based on previous radiographs have revealed that the prevalence of benign childhood bone tumors of the extremities were quite common,more precisely 18.9% in a historical asymptomatic population. Further, a series of Longitudinal radiographs have highlighted that they resolved on their own. Researchers have also observed the timing of the first appearance and the potential for resolution for each tumor type.
The findings have been published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
Benign bone tumors are common incidental findings in the pediatric population during radiographic evaluation. Counseling these patients requires reassurance and raises questions about the natural history of these tumors over time. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and observe the behavior of benign childhood bone tumors in an asymptomatic population.
For the study design,a historical, longitudinal radiographic collection of healthy children was reviewed, which included comprehensive left-sided radiographs of the extremities at yearly intervals. In this study, 262 subjects with 25,555 radiographs were screened for benign bone tumors at a median age of 8 years (range, 0 to 18 years). All potential tumors were reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel, which confirmed the radiographic diagnosis of each lesion, the age at which the lesion first appeared, and the age at which it had resolved. Prevalence rates were calculated using the number of distinct subjects available for each radiographic location and age.
Data analysis revealed the following facts.
· Thirty-five tumors were identified in 33 subjects, including 19 nonossifying fibromas, 8 enostoses, 6 osteochondromas, and 2 enchondromas.
· The prevalence rate for all tumors combined increased with age and was 18.9% overall. The overall prevalence rates for specific tumor types were 7.5% for nonossifying fibromas, 5.2% for enostoses, 4.5% for osteochondromas, and 1.8% for enchondromas.
· Nonossifying fibromas demonstrated a bimodal distribution of prevalence, with a peak at 5 years (10.8%) and another after skeletal maturity (13.3%).
· The median age at the first appearance for all tumors combined was 9 years (range, 2 to 15 years), but varied by tumor type.
· Nonossifying fibromas often resolved (7 [37%] of 19), with further resolution possible beyond the last available radiograph.
· Enostoses, osteochondromas, and enchondromas persisted until the last available radiographs in all subjects.
Observing the results, the team concluded , "These findings provide unique evidence to answer many commonly encountered questions when counseling patients and their families on benign bone tumors."
For the full article follow the link: 10.2106/JBJS.20.00999
Primary source: The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
