Vanishing bone disease (Gorham's disease) - A rare occurrence of unknown etiology.

ABSTRACT

A 20-year-old male patient presented with painful swelling around left elbow joint. Radiographic examination revealed osteolytic lesion with pathological fracture of lower end of humerus and upper radius. Upper end of ulna was completely absent along with bony erosion. Histopathology of the bony tissue revealed hemangioma-like lesion composed of vascular channels lined by benign endothelium replacing bone. The diagnosis of Gorham's massive osteolysis was made. Gorham's disease is a benign self-limiting condition affecting any age, may involve any part of the skeleton and is characterized by replacement of bone by hemangiomatous tissue resulting in formation of lesions exhibiting massive osteolysis, which may be to the extent of disappearance of the affected bone in radiograph. This nonhereditary case was not associated with nephropathy, which is often a coexistent condition. The case is being reported for its rarity.