Which statement best describes pain in osteoid osteoma?

Which statement best describes pain in osteoid osteoma?

• A. Worse with activity
• B. Improves with NSAIDs
• C. Nocturnal pain not relieved by NSAIDs
• D. Occurs only in the elderly

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that osteoid osteoma causes a pain pattern driven by high prostaglandin production in the tumor nidus, leading to intense, localized pain that is especially troublesome at night but responds dramatically to NSAIDs. This is why pain improves with NSAIDs is the best description: the anti‑inflammatory effect lowers prostaglandin synthesis and provides quick relief. In contrast, the other statements don’t fit the typical picture. The pain is not primarily worse with activity; it’s classically worse at night. It most often occurs in young patients, not the elderly. And while nocturnal pain is common, it is characteristically relieved by NSAIDs, not left unrelieved.

The key idea is that osteoid osteoma causes a pain pattern driven by high prostaglandin production in the tumor nidus, leading to intense, localized pain that is especially troublesome at night but responds dramatically to NSAIDs. This is why pain improves with NSAIDs is the best description: the anti‑inflammatory effect lowers prostaglandin synthesis and provides quick relief.

In contrast, the other statements don’t fit the typical picture. The pain is not primarily worse with activity; it’s classically worse at night. It most often occurs in young patients, not the elderly. And while nocturnal pain is common, it is characteristically relieved by NSAIDs, not left unrelieved.