Solitary osteochondroma of the scapula. A rare differential diagnosis with unspecific shoulder pain

Solitary osteochondroma of the scapula is rare. Because of the atypical location with unspecific shoulder pain, the diagnosis is often made late. We present a 35 year old patient with a solitary ostochondroma of the scapula with unspecific pain of the shoulder-neck region over about 4 years. In a thorax x-ray 2 years ago, a tumor like lesion was found. CT and MRI scan led to suspicion of a solitary osteochondroma of the scapula. Because of progressive thoracic pressure pain, a wide excision was made. The problems of diagnosis and therapy are presented and the literature is discussed.