Introduction
The non-ossifying fibroma usually causes no pain or other symptoms and is often found radiologically by chance. It is one of the most common benign changes in bone and is almost always accompanied by spontaneous healing.
Definition
The non-ossifying fibroma is not a true new formation, but a developmental malformation. Instead of a bone, connective tissue is inserted at this site. Non-ossifying fibroma is therefore a disease in childhood and usually heals spontaneously by ossifying towards the end of growth. Sometimes a small residue remains in the bone area of the metaphysis or diaphysis. The metaphysis is the section of the long tubular bone and the diaphysis is the area of the bone shaft.
Clinical signs of non-ossifying fibroma
As mentioned above, the non-ossifying fibroma is a random finding, as it does not cause pain. It is often discovered in connection with a fall on the knee when an X-ray is taken to rule out a fracture. Only very rarely is pain expressed in the area of the fibroma.
Often it is knee pain, since the non-ossifying fibroma is usually located in this area. Such complaints are often a sign of a rapid spread of the benign change or an imminent pathological fracture. Pathological fracture means that no external force has caused a fracture in the bone.
In some cases there is a slight soft tissue swelling in the area of the tibia bone. In most cases, non-ossifying fibroids are completely asymptomatic. However, if the skeletal structure is unstable, fractures may occur without a suitable accident scenario.
This can be correspondingly painful. In some cases, even without a fracture, children suffer from limitations and pain. If the symptoms are permanent, surgical therapy or splints may be considered.
Treatment of non-ossifying fibroma
The non-ossifying fibroma shows typical X-ray findings and usually heals spontaneously. If there is no additional pain, no further radiological aftercare is required. If the lesion is larger than half of the bone, in cases of constant pain and in young patients, follow-up examinations should be performed twice a year.
In this way a pathological fracture can be detected and treated in time. If this is the case, a surgical intervention is performed. During this procedure the non-ossifying fibroma is removed, i.e. a curettage is performed. If the area to be cleared is very large, the area can be additionally filled with cancellous bone, the spongy bone structure.
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