Acute-Onset Giant Cell Tumor of Soft Tissue in the Pediatric Hip Mimicking Septic Arthritis: A Case Report.

CASE: A 9-year-old boy presented with acute left buttock pain and difficulty walking. Initial evaluations were inconclusive, and he was referred 3 weeks after symptom onset. Septic arthritis of the hip was suspected based on clinical and imaging findings, and arthroscopic irrigation was performed. However, symptoms persisted. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging revealed a rapidly enlarging tumor. Open resection was performed, and the lesion was diagnosed as a giant cell tumor of soft tissue.

CONCLUSION

In children with acute hip pain, neoplastic disease should be considered. If symptoms persist, repeat imaging and histopathologic evaluation are essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment.