Nontraumatic Lesions of the Clavicle in a Paediatric Population: Incidence and Management

Abstract

Background. The incidence of paediatric nontraumatic clavicle lesions is unknown and there is limited literature regarding the management of such patients. Methods. A review of a prospectively complied radiological database held at the study was conducted for a defined 10-year period. The study centre is the only paediatric service available for a defined catchment population. The case notes of all patients with nontraumatic lesions were reviewed, and the mode of presentation, the diagnostic dilemmas, and the management were recorded. Results. A total of 2133 clavicle radiographs were performed during the study period, with only five having a nontraumatic history. The overall incidence of paediatric nontraumatic clavicle lesions was 0.38 per 100,000 per year. Three patients were diagnosed with chronic recurrent osteomyelitis, one with chronic bifocal osteomyelitis, and one with Langerhans cell histiocytosis. All patients with osteomyelitis demonstrated a typical natural history of a chronic relapsing remitting infection. Three underwent bone biopsy; however, no organism was identified. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that the incidence of nontraumatic clavicle lesions is small, and those patients presenting with osteomyelitis should not routinely undergo a bone biopsy and close observation with the appropriate antibiotic therapy is advised.