Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and intrathoracic Hodgkin disease of childhood.

BACKGROUND

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA), well known in adults, is rarely encountered in children. The clinical features include clubbing of the fingers and toes, arthritis, and painful periosteal new bone formation of the tubular bones. The association of malignant disorders with HOA is more common in adults than in children.

CASE: In this paper, a 12-year-old boy with intrathoracic Hodgkin disease and HOA is presented and four other children with HOA and Hodgkin disease in the literature reviewed.

DISCUSSION: The presence of HOA has been thought to be a bad prognostic sign, but complete remission of Hodgkin disease and regression of clinical signs and symptoms of HOA were attained in our patient after chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and continue during 9 months post-therapy follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

HOA accompanying a malignant tumor in children is very rare. Only 5 cases have been associated with Hodgkin disease, including the present boy. It is important that patients with symptoms of HOA and an intrathoracic mass be examined carefully to rule out a malignancy.