The natural history of focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia in the young child with tibia vara

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2014 May;24(4):579-86. doi: 10.1007/s00590-013-1346-3. Epub 2013 Oct 29.

Abstract

Background: Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia is an uncommon disorder that affects young children causing unilateral deformity of the tibia. The lesion is seen in other similar conditions but this anomaly shows peculiar clinical characteristic.

Methods: Eleven young patients have been seen between the years 2002-2010 and followed up clinically and radiographically from 3 to 9 years. Family history, previous episode of trauma, infections, and bone disease in the children were not recountered.

Results: All cases were treated conservatively and self-corrected by the last follow-up. One case (9.09%) displayed a 4° of varus, and one case (9.09%) displayed a 5° of varus and one (9.09%) a slight leg length discrepancy.

Conclusion: According to our results and those reported in the literature, focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia is a benign affection that does not need treatment with a Levine and Drennan angle of <30°.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Diseases, Developmental / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone Diseases, Developmental / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fibrocartilage / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fibrocartilage / physiopathology
  • Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone / physiopathology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Leg Length Inequality / diagnostic imaging*
  • Leg Length Inequality / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Osteochondrosis / congenital*
  • Osteochondrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteochondrosis / physiopathology
  • Radiography
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Tibia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tibia / physiopathology
  • Unnecessary Procedures

Supplementary concepts

  • Blount disease