Case report of vanishing bone disease (Gorham’s Disease) of humerus and proximal radius managed with radiotherapy

Abstract

Gorham’s Disease or massive osteolysis is one of the rare entities with unpredictable prognosis. This vanishing bone disease has predilection for femur, mandible, ribs, scapula, humerus and pelvis. Although much research has been done regarding etiopathogenesis, no conclusive evidence exists regarding single best modality for treatment. Here we present a case of 17 year old female with pain and swelling of right arm following a history of trauma 10 months back for which she was placed on U slab. Patient showed worsening of pain and swelling and gradual progression of osteolysis on follow up radiological examination. After histopathological confirmation of diagnosis, we started patient on radiotherapy in doses of 35 Gy given in 16 fractions over the period of 3 weeks which helped in arresting disease progression and to some extent improving radiological outcome evident on 1 year follow up.