Femoral Head Stress Fracture in Children: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: The stress fracture of the femoral head rarely occurs; but, it is generally encountered in case of bone insufficiency, and it is exceptional in younger individuals. The main differential diagnosis may include several diseases, namely, slipped upper femoral epiphysis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and Perthes’ disease. Bone scintigraphy is very sensitive but lacks specificity. Nowadays, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for an accurate diagnosis. CASE REPORT: We present the first description of this pathology in the pediatric population with the particularity of its atypical aspect on MRI through a case of stress fracture of femoral head in 12-year-old female. CONCLUSION: Stress fractures may sometimes mimic malignant or infectious lesions and are easily misdiagnosed. MRI is the gold standard which may be the only modality to identify the fracture.