A cryptic cause of monarthritis in the hand: the juxta-articular osteoid osteoma.

Three patients with an isolated arthritis in the hand are described. All three had long-term complaints and had undergone surgery before presenting in our clinic. The cause of arthritis, in all three patients, was a juxta-articular osteoid osteoma. In one patient the diagnosis was established by a plain X-ray. Additional radiological studies were necessary to arrive at the diagnosis in another patient, while in the third no preoperative diagnosis could be made, despite extensive investigations. Treatment consisted of curetting the nidus.