Gross hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy in a 7-year-old child.

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy in children is rare and usually associated with an underlying condition. A case of hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy secondary to a chronic post-measles lung abscess is presented. There was good radiological evidence of an advanced degree of periosteal reaction. This became much more obvious during an exacerbation of the illness. Films taken 10 months after resection of the affected lobe showed almost complete resolution of the bone condition. A feature that is well known in adults, but has not previously been reported in a child, was the exquisite tenderness of the affected bones. The literature is reviewed.