Osteochondritis dissecans of the lateral tibial condyle. Report of a new case and review of the literature.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OD) of the lateral tibial condyle is a rare condition. A review of the literature revealed only nine cases in seven patients. We report about a new case. It is widely accepted that this form of OD originates from an accessory center of ossification. Our case supports this theory. Although comparative roentgenograms of the left knee, taken because of complaints in the right one, were interpreted to be normal, retrospective analysis clearly revealed the lateral intercondylar eminence of the left knee to have been irregular many years before the onset of symptoms. Association with a classical OD in the contralateral knee is striking in most of the reported cases.