Calcaneal osteosarcoma: a rare cause of heel pain in the paediatric population

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Feb 4:2013:bcr2012008497. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-008497.

Abstract

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary non-haemopoietic malignant bone tumour in children and adolescents. However, it rarely occurs in the calcaneus with only a few case reports in the literature. We report a case of a 14-year-old boy with calcaneal osteosarcoma, who presented with heel pain followed by swelling. The pain was initially thought to be related to a benign process and treated with analgesics, delaying the diagnosis. We discuss the clinical presentation, the differential diagnosis, multi-imaging and pathological findings of a calcaneal osteosarcoma, its clinical outcome and the importance of early diagnosis to improve outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Athletic Injuries / complications
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Bone Neoplasms / complications
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Calcaneus*
  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Osteosarcoma / complications
  • Osteosarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Pain / diagnosis*
  • Pain / etiology