Cortical thickening and lucency in the proximal humerus are uncommon radiological findings. Pseudotumor deltoideus was reported for the first time in the literature in 2001 in a study of five cases of asymptomatic, subacute or chronic, and painful pseudotumor deltoideus in the deltoid insertion; it was described as benign in character and possessing various anatomic variations not previously defined. In this paper, by presenting the clinical and radiological findings of a female patient with acute pain in the left shoulder with radiological images indicative of the condition, to the best of our knowledge, this study constitutes the second report in literature and the first case from Turkey of pseudotumor deltoideus. A 30year-old female presented with an acute-onset of severe pain in the left shoulder. Cortical thickening, irregularity and intracortical lucency were observed at the deltoid insertion. In case of cortical thickening in the proximal humerus deltoid insertion accompanied by irregularity and intracortical lucency associated with acute onset of severe lateral shoulder pain, pseudotumor deltoideus should be considered as a diagnosis. MRI is helpful in the differential diagnosis
___
1. Morgan H, Damron T, Cohen H, Allen M. Pseudotumor deltoideus: a previously undescribed anatomic variant at the deltoid insertion site. Skeletal Radiol 2001;30(9):512-8.
2. Brower AC. Cortical defect of the humerus at the insertion of the pectoralis major. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1977;128(4):677-8.
3. Chadwick CJ. Tendinitis of the pectoralis major insertion with humeral lesions. A report of two cases. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1989;71(5):816-8.
4. Fulton MN, Albright JP, El-Khoury GY. Cortical desmoid-like lesion of the proximal humerus and its occurrence in gymnasts (ringman's shoulder lesion). Am J Sports Med. 1979;7(1):57-61.
5. Donnelly LF, Helms CA, Bisset GS. Chronic avulsive injury of the deltoid insertion in adolescents: imaging findings in three cases. Radiology. 1999;211(1):233-6.
6. Anderson SE, Hertel R, Johnston JO, Stauffer E, Leinweber E, Steinbach LS. Latissimus dorsi tendinosis and tear: imaging features of a pseudotumor of the upper limb in five patients. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005;185(5):1145-51.
7. Damron TA, Morris C, Rougraff B, Tamurian R. Diagnosis and treatment of jointrelated tumors that mimic sports-related injuries. Instr Course Lect. 2009;58:833-47.