Focal plasma cell osteomyelitis: An unusual presentation on the foot

Abstract

Plasma cellular osteomyelitis is a chronic and recurrent non purulent bone inflammatory entity charactererized by abundance of plasma cells in the lesional bone. Is a recurrent, unifocal or multifocal disorder, which has an unknown etiology with clinical and radiographic features that may make it impossible to distinguish from other non-suppurative sclerosing osteomyelitis. This rare condition usually occurs in metaphysis of a long bone of children or young adults. We report a case of PCO in a 64-year-old woman with intermittent diffused pain in the hallux of the left foot after several nail avulsions and two surgical procedures on the distal phalanx. The histological study of the bone sample showed reactive sclerotic bone with plasma cells compatible with PCO. In spite of its infectious origin, as in the present case the causal agent is not always identified. Owing to rarity of entity, a clinical diagnosis is usually not considered and a histopathological examination is essential to establish of a definitive diagnosis.

Keywords

• Primary chronic osteomyelitis
• Sclerosing osteomyelitis
• Periostitis ossificans