Vanishing osteosclerotic lesion of the humeral head

Abstract

We report on the spontaneous disappearance of a dense round lesion from within the greater tuberosity of the humerus. The patient was treated with oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents for symptoms of subacromial bursitis. Symptoms resolved in 10 days and the lesion had vanished when radiographed 3 months later. We surmise the lesion to represent intraosseous crystal deposition.

Intraosseous migration of tendinous calcifications: cortical erosions, subcortical migration and extensive intramedullary diffusion, a SIMS series

“…The intraosseous calcium deposits may be dense and appear as bone islands on radiographs [21]. However, the deposits may be less compact and poorly visualized at radiography (Fig.…”

Intraosseous calcium migration in calcifying tendinitis: a rare cause of single sclerotic injury in the humeral head (2010: 2b)

“…In our case, we believe this situation may have been caused by the absence of treatment with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In the case described by Chagnaud et al [3] they describe the disappearance of the intraosseous lesion after administration of NSAIDs. In our case, the patient had rejected taking any type of medication for personal reasons.…”

“…This is when the calcium may partially extrude onto the surface of the bursa or completely rupture the bursa. Although the possibility of intraosseous calcium migration has been described in the past [2], and we know of this, there is only one reported case of this disease in the literature [3]. The cause of intraosseous migration is unknown.…”

Migration of calcium deposits into subacromial–subdeltoid bursa and into humeral head as a rare complication of calcifying tendinitis: sonography and imaging

“…A rare complication of this condition is the migration of calcium deposits from tendon fibers, usually of the supraspinatus, to the subacromial space, into the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa (2) or into the humeral greater tuberosity (6,7,8,9), which is responsible for the intense acute shoulder pain and functional disability. This complication shows a typical US, radiographic, CT and MR imaging presentation, described in this article, which is important to know to make the correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary invasive tests or aggressive surgery.…”

“…Intraosseous migration of tendon calcifications is another rare painful complication of calcifying tendinitis that has been described in the literature, not only in the shoulder [6][7][8], but also in other tendon insertions such as the pectoralis major, glutei maximus and medius, adductor magnus and deltoid insertions [9]. The pathomechanism is still unknown, but seems to be mediated by acute inflammation and local vasculature changes at the tendon insertion and by mechanical effects of the muscle traction causing bone destruction.…”