Evaluation of Radiolucent Lesions in Cortices of Long Bones in Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patients

Background: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic disorder of collagen synthesis and metabolism, is characterized by cortical bone thinning and decreased trabecular bone. We have noted individuals with OI develop radiolucent lesions in the cortices of the long bones and these have not been pr...

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Main Authors: Carolyn Cook, MD, Lydia Turk, BA, Alicia January, PhD, Teresa Cappello, MD, Peter Smith, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2768276524009544
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author Carolyn Cook, MD
Lydia Turk, BA
Alicia January, PhD
Teresa Cappello, MD
Peter Smith, MD
author_facet Carolyn Cook, MD
Lydia Turk, BA
Alicia January, PhD
Teresa Cappello, MD
Peter Smith, MD
author_sort Carolyn Cook, MD
collection DOAJ
description Background: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic disorder of collagen synthesis and metabolism, is characterized by cortical bone thinning and decreased trabecular bone. We have noted individuals with OI develop radiolucent lesions in the cortices of the long bones and these have not been previously described. The prevalence of these lesions in the long bones of children and the significance of their appearance in relation to subsequent fractures is unknown. Methods: In a retrospective study, upper and lower extremity radiographs of 328 pediatric patients with OI were examined to determine the occurrence and clinical course of these lesions in patients with various subtypes of OI. Results: Lesions were present in 55 (17%) of the 328 patients. A total of 89 lesions were identified in these 55 patients, with 138 positive radiographs across the OI subtypes. Of the 138 positive radiographs, lesions were present in 90/138 (65%) tibiae, 10/138 (7%) fibulae, 24/138 (17%) femora, 4/138 (3%) ulnae, 1/138 (1%) radius, and 9/138 (7%) humeri. In affected patients, there was an average of 1.62 lesions per patient. In 99% (136/138) of the radiographs, the lesion was present on the diaphysis of the long bone, and in 86% (119/138) of the x-rays, the lesion was located on the tension side. 64% (57/89) of the lesions developed after a previous fracture, and in 24% (21/89) of lesions, a fracture subsequently occurred through the area of the lesion. Conclusions: We present that radiolucent lesions of long bone diaphyses are a characteristic finding in OI and often presage fractures. Key Concepts: (1) Radiolucent lesions are a characteristic finding of OI and have not been yet described in literature. (2) These lesions may represent a probable failure of ossification and lack of remodeling in the area of the lesion. (3) There is no clear etiology of this finding, although many arise in areas of prior fracture or osteotomy.
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spelling doaj-art-e6e1e686226144e48b33c6a60bc821862024-11-29T06:25:29ZengElsevierJournal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America2768-27652024-11-019100128Evaluation of Radiolucent Lesions in Cortices of Long Bones in Osteogenesis Imperfecta PatientsCarolyn Cook, MD0Lydia Turk, BA1Alicia January, PhD2Teresa Cappello, MD3Peter Smith, MD4Corresponding author: Shriners Children's Chicago, IL, USA.; Shriners Children's Chicago, Chicago, IL, USAShriners Children's Chicago, Chicago, IL, USAShriners Children's Chicago, Chicago, IL, USAShriners Children's Chicago, Chicago, IL, USAShriners Children's Chicago, Chicago, IL, USABackground: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic disorder of collagen synthesis and metabolism, is characterized by cortical bone thinning and decreased trabecular bone. We have noted individuals with OI develop radiolucent lesions in the cortices of the long bones and these have not been previously described. The prevalence of these lesions in the long bones of children and the significance of their appearance in relation to subsequent fractures is unknown. Methods: In a retrospective study, upper and lower extremity radiographs of 328 pediatric patients with OI were examined to determine the occurrence and clinical course of these lesions in patients with various subtypes of OI. Results: Lesions were present in 55 (17%) of the 328 patients. A total of 89 lesions were identified in these 55 patients, with 138 positive radiographs across the OI subtypes. Of the 138 positive radiographs, lesions were present in 90/138 (65%) tibiae, 10/138 (7%) fibulae, 24/138 (17%) femora, 4/138 (3%) ulnae, 1/138 (1%) radius, and 9/138 (7%) humeri. In affected patients, there was an average of 1.62 lesions per patient. In 99% (136/138) of the radiographs, the lesion was present on the diaphysis of the long bone, and in 86% (119/138) of the x-rays, the lesion was located on the tension side. 64% (57/89) of the lesions developed after a previous fracture, and in 24% (21/89) of lesions, a fracture subsequently occurred through the area of the lesion. Conclusions: We present that radiolucent lesions of long bone diaphyses are a characteristic finding in OI and often presage fractures. Key Concepts: (1) Radiolucent lesions are a characteristic finding of OI and have not been yet described in literature. (2) These lesions may represent a probable failure of ossification and lack of remodeling in the area of the lesion. (3) There is no clear etiology of this finding, although many arise in areas of prior fracture or osteotomy.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2768276524009544Osteogenesis imperfectaBrittle bone disease
spellingShingle Carolyn Cook, MD
Lydia Turk, BA
Alicia January, PhD
Teresa Cappello, MD
Peter Smith, MD
Evaluation of Radiolucent Lesions in Cortices of Long Bones in Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patients
Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
Osteogenesis imperfecta
Brittle bone disease
title Evaluation of Radiolucent Lesions in Cortices of Long Bones in Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patients
title_full Evaluation of Radiolucent Lesions in Cortices of Long Bones in Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patients
title_fullStr Evaluation of Radiolucent Lesions in Cortices of Long Bones in Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patients
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of Radiolucent Lesions in Cortices of Long Bones in Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patients
title_short Evaluation of Radiolucent Lesions in Cortices of Long Bones in Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patients
title_sort evaluation of radiolucent lesions in cortices of long bones in osteogenesis imperfecta patients
topic Osteogenesis imperfecta
Brittle bone disease
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2768276524009544
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