[Sclerosing osteomyelitis of the proximal femur in children and adolescents].

Eighteen cases of sclerosing osteomyelitis of the proximal femur in children and adolescent, chiefly boys, have been reported. The lack of local symptoms typical for infection is usually the cause of misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Persistent pain in the hip, especially nocturnal one is clinically characteristic. Unilateral thickening of the cortex at the level of lesser trochanter and below with condensed surrounding bone and sometimes a focus of translucency is found on the radiographs. The treatment should be surgical and "en bloc" resection of the changed bone is compulsory. Results of treatment have been assessed in 17 patients after a mean follow-up of 5 years.