Injuries from palm tree thorn simulating tumoral or pseudotumoral bone lesions.


Published online: Jun 27 2001

Vega Curiel, Villaverde Romon, Carrillo Lucia, Ruiz del Portal Bermudo, Carranza Bencano,

Hospital San Pedro Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain.

Abstract

Three cases of bone changes caused by foreign bodies that appeared to be tumoral lesions or pseudotumors, were observed in young male patients who presented with pain, localized inflammation, and radiographic and bone scan findings suggestive of tumoral or pseudotumoral lesions. Accurate diagnosis was made at surgery when the foreign body was retrieved. Following removal of the foreign body, postoperative recovery was satisfactory. The common causative agent in all these cases was a palm tree thorn.