Primary multifocal osseous Hodgkin's lymphoma

Clare R Langley¹ , Simon JW Garrett² , Jill Urand³ , Janice Kohler³ and Nick MP Clarke³

¹Orthopaedic Department, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Foundation Trust, Aldermaston Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 9NA, UK

²Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Castle Lane East, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 7DW, UK

³Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK

author email corresponding author email

World Journal of Surgical Oncology 2008, 6:34doi:10.1186/1477-7819-6-34


Published:	17 March 2008

Abstract

Background

Hodgkin's disease (HD) most commonly presents with progressive painless enlargement of peripheral lymph nodes, especially around the cervical region. A few children have systemic symptoms and weight loss. At the time of diagnosis, osseous involvement is uncommon

Case presentation

A case is described of Primary Multifocal Osseous Hodgkin's Lymphoma in a seven-year-old boy. He presented with a painful swelling in the sternum, and further investigations revealed deposits in his L1 vertebra, the left sacro-iliac joint and the right acetabulum.

Conclusion

The clinical, radiological and histological features of this disease can mimic other medical conditions, including Tuberculosis, making the diagnosis difficult and often leading to delays in treatment. This is a very rare condition and we believe this to be the youngest reported case in the literature.