“My Bones Hurt”: An Unusual Cause of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Abstract

Background

Fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] is a common condition within general practice and rheumatology.

Findings

We describe the case of a young man presenting with classic FMS symptoms and normal laboratory investigations, but whose pain was eventually found to be due to multiple bony hemangiomatosis, which led to a review of the literature and alterations to our practice.

Conclusions

FMS is a diagnosis of exclusion, and sinister causes of chronic pain must be excluded. Clinicians must have a high index of suspicion in young patients presenting with FMS, particularly young males. Plain radiographs are useful to exclude bony lesions that may be the cause of the pain.

Keywords:

• Hemangioma
• chronic pain
• primary bone hemangioma
• fibromyalgia syndrome