Gorham massive osteolysis

Gorham syndrome (massive osteolysis) is a very rare tumour-like lesion characterized by progressive osteolysis. The diagnosis must be confirmed by the microscopic finding of intramedullary angioma-like vascular structures. We report a case of a 15-year-old boy with a pathological fracture in his left humerus. Imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, angiography and bone scintigraphy failed to disclose to tumorous lesion that filled a cavity in the left humerus. After observing the boy's progress for 6 months, a temporary diagnosis of Gorham syndrome was made, and surgical treatment was chosen. After resection of the left humeral head and the proximal one-quarter of the humerus, thorough curettage was performed in the distal humerus and an intramedullary artificial humeral head fixed with adequate success. Pathological examination of the specimen revealed intramedullary haemangioma of the humerus.