Desmoplastic fibroma of the ilium: A case report with 4-month follow-up and literature review.

RATIONALE: Desmoplastic fibroma of the bone (DFB) is a rare and locally aggressive tumor that originates from the bone. We present a case of DFB involving the ilium that progressed over a 4-month follow-up period. To our knowledge, this is the first report detailing the short-term follow-up of DFB.

PATIENT CONCERNS: A 28-year-old male patient was admitted to our institution because of unexplained right iliac pain. Radiological assessment revealed osteolytic and expansive bone destruction in the right ilium along with linear hypointensity on T2-weighted imaging. After the 4-month follow-up, computed tomography images demonstrated an increase in lesion size.

DIAGNOSES: The initial diagnosis was a fibrous tumor. Histopathological examination after the operation confirmed a diagnosis of DFB.

INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The patient underwent extensive resection, reconstruction with bone cement, and internal fixation. No radiological evidence of tumor recurrence was observed 5 years after surgery.

LESSONS: This study provides the initial documentation of the short-term imaging progression characteristics of DFB in the iliac bone. Within the framework of the World Health Organization classification of bone tumors, DFB is categorized as an intermediate tumor based on its biological behavior. The case presented herein illustrates rapid progression of the tumor over a short period. Such findings underscore the paramount importance of achieving an accurate diagnostic evaluation through comprehensive imaging and the necessity of timely surgical intervention to effectively manage tumors and mitigate potential adverse outcomes.