Differential Diagnosis for a 6 Year Old Lump on the Right Knee
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Benign osteochondroma: This is a common, benign bone tumor that often presents as a lump or bump near the knee, particularly in children and adolescents. It typically grows near the growth plate and can be asymptomatic or cause mild discomfort.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Ganglion cyst: A ganglion cyst is a lump under the skin that occurs when fluid accumulates in a sac, often near a joint or tendon. They are common around the knee and can be painful if they press on nearby nerves.
- Lipoma: A lipoma is a benign tumor composed of fat tissue. It can occur anywhere on the body, including near the knee, and is usually soft and movable.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease: This condition causes a painful lump below the knee, where the patellar tendon attaches to the shinbone. It's common in adolescents during growth spurts.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Osteosarcoma: Although rare, osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that can present as a lump or swelling near the knee. It's crucial to consider this diagnosis to ensure timely treatment if present.
- Ewing's sarcoma: Another rare but aggressive bone cancer that can cause a lump or swelling, often accompanied by pain and systemic symptoms.
- Infection (e.g., abscess or osteomyelitis): Infections can cause lumps or swelling and are critical to diagnose promptly to initiate appropriate antibiotic treatment.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Synovial sarcoma: A rare type of cancer that usually occurs near the joints of the arm, neck, or leg. It can present as a lump and is more common in young adults.
- Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS): A rare condition characterized by the overgrowth of the joint lining, leading to swelling and lump formation, often in the knee.
- Hemangioma: A benign vascular tumor that can occur near the knee, though it's more commonly found in other areas. It might present as a lump, especially if it involves deeper tissues.