Sclerosis of the clavicle – A challenging diagnosis

Abstract

Condensing osteitis of the clavicle is a rare benign disease described as an increase in bone density at the medial end of the clavicle. Its clinical and radiographic presentation can frequently be equivocal and tissue sampling is necessary for diagnostic confirmation. Here we present the case of a 29-year-old female with condensing osteitis of the right medical clavicle, who remained undiagnosed for many years despite obtaining imaging studies and undergoing an initial biopsy. This disease presents oftentimes a challenging diagnosis due to its imaging features overlapping with many benign and malignant bone lesions. A qualified multidisciplinary team with expertise in rare bone conditions becomes oftentimes essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.