Osteitis condensans of the clavicle: does fibrocartilage play a role? A report of two cases with spontaneous clinical and roentgenographic resolution.

Two cases of osteitis condensans of the medial clavicle with an unusual course toward spontaneous resolution of clinical and roentgenographic manifestations are reported. The relevant literature is reviewed. A pathogenic hypothesis for condensing osteitis of the clavicle, ilium, and pubis is suggested. At all these sites, the sclerosis occurs in bone overlaid by fibrocartilage. In contrast, joint aspects spared by the sclerosis are covered with hyaline cartilage. We report data documenting this fact at the sternoclavicular joint.