Osteoid osteoma of the metacarpus. A case report.

The authors present a case of osteoid osteoma which is of interest not only because of the extreme rarity of its localisation in the 1st metacarpal, but also because of its unusual clinical features. These consisted of atypical pain, which was constant and did not respond to salicylates. There was marked local reaction, particularly in the soft tissues surrounding the 1st metacarpal, with a fine superficial venous reticulum. It was possible to follow the complete radiographic development of the tumour from its earliest stage to its final rather atypical appearance, and this allowed us to make the presumptive diagnosis without dependence on other more sophisticated methods.