Transient bone marrow oedema in a child

Transient bone marrow oedema (TBMO) is an uncommon condition associated with joint and bone pain on activity. The most common localisation is the proximal femur, and it mainly affects only one bone.1 Reports of bone marrow oedema in children are scarce.2–4 An 8 year old boy was referred to hospital owing to difficulty in walking. He had started ski jumping 2 weeks earlier, but his history showed no injuries in the extremities. He complained of pain in the knees, ankles, and wrists. Mild fever and signs of upper respiratory tract infection were detected and reactive arthritis was suspected. Treatment with naproxen was started and he was discharged. Ultrasound investigation showed only slight symmetrical oedema in the ankle joints. Haemoglobin, white blood cell count, and thrombocytes were all within normal limits. During the next 2 weeks, the pain …