Osteolysis of the distal clavicle in a woman. Case report and review of the literature.

An unusual case of osteolysis of the distal clavicle in a woman is presented. Although almost 100 cases of osteolysis of the distal clavicle have been reported in the literature, none have occurred in females (Neer and Rockwood, 1984). After acute acromioclavicular dislocation, surgical reduction was carried out by transferring the coracoid process to the clavicle. Three years later the osteolysis of the outer clavicle appeared to be related to pain and functional impairment of the joint. The pain is quite tolerable and surgical excision of the distal clavicle has not yet been necessary.