OSTEOCHONDRITIS of the vertebral body was first described as a definite radio-clinical entity by Jacques Calvi of Berck when he addressed the meeting of the British Orthopaedic Association at Bologna in September, 1924.l Four years later Calvt collected 9 cases which had been observed by various workers, and discussed the aetiology of the condition.2 In 1935 Sundt3 made a critical review of 21 cases, some of a doubtful nature, recorded in the world literature up to that date, and reported 2 further cases. The condition, which closely simulates Pott's disease in its clinical aspect, but can be differentiated by the characteristic radiographic appearances, would seem to be of sufficient rarity and interest to justify the following report of a case which has been under observation for four years.
M. A,, a girl, 10 years of age, was admitted to hospital on June 29, 1933, as a case of Pott's disease, the diagnosis having been made following radiological examination. She gave the story that for six weeks she had suffered from pain in her left side, first on walking, but later even on sitting. The onset of her complaint was not immediately preceded by injury or illness. The history of an injury, which had occurred seven years previously, when she had been knocked down by a tramcar, was recorded. She had suffered only from the common ailments of childhood, measles and whooping-cough at three years of age, and chicken-pox in her eighth year, FIG. 318.-Patient on Feb. 22, 1937. No deformity. being particularly specified. There was Full flexlon of spine.
no personal or family history of tuberculosis, and her tuberculin reaction (Mantoux) was negative. reaction was also negative.