Osteoid osteoma presenting as thoracic scoliosis

Background ContextOsteoid osteoma of the thoracic spine is relatively uncommon and is often difficult to diagnose, especially when patients do not complain of pain.PurposeThis study aims to describe an unusual case of scoliosis caused by osteoid osteoma of the thoracic spine that was challenging to diagnose.Study Design/SettingA case report of a 12-year-old girl who presented with scoliosis caused by osteoid osteoma of the thoracic spine without apparent pain was carried out.MethodsDiagnosis of the lesion was made using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging as well as the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) patient-based questionnaire.ResultsA preoperative CT myelogram revealed a mass lesion in the lamina of the 10th thoracic vertebra that was considered to be osteoid osteoma. This diagnosis was histologically confirmed following tumor excision. The patient's spinal deformity and SRS-22 scores were both improved at 5 months postoperatively.ConclusionsOsteoid osteoma of the thoracic spine may present as non-painful scoliosis. Tumor resection is effective. Clinicians should bear this uncommon lesion in mind during recommended CT examination before scoliosis surgery.