Arthroscopic excision of an intra-articular osteoid osteoma in the elbow joint.

An osteoid osteoma is a rare, small, benign and painful tumour occurring in the extra-articular portion of long bones seen most commonly in the lower extremities. This is a case report of a 23-year-old female patient who underwent arthroscopic resection of an intra-articular osteoid osteoma. The nidus was completely removed by arthroscopic excision. The diagnosis was confirmed by postoperative histopathological analysis. In the case presented we have shown that intra-articular arthroscopy can be successful in the surgical management of benign bony lesions involving the elbow joint. We also present a review of the literature which reports on similar cases or intra-articular disease, preferred methods of surgical management and limitations in histopathological specimen acquisition for diagnosis.