Sclerosis of the clavicle––A challenging diagnosis

Condensing osteitis of the clavicle is a rare benign disease described as an increase in bone density at the medial end of the clavicle. Its clinical and radiographic presentation can frequently be equivocal and tissue sampling is necessary for diagnostic confirmation. Here we present the case of a 29-year-old female with condensing osteitis of the right medical clavicle, who remained undiagnosed for many years despite obtaining imaging studies and undergoing an initial biopsy. This disease presents oftentimes a challenging diagnosis due to its imaging features overlapping with many benign and malignant bone lesions. A qualified multidisciplinary team with expertise in rare bone conditions becomes oftentimes essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.     

Athletic osteitis pubis

Athletic osteitis pubis is a painful and chronic condition affecting the pubic symphysis and/or parasymphyseal bone that develops after athletic activity. Athletes with osteitis pubis commonly present with anterior and medial groin pain and, in some cases, may have pain centred directly over the pubic symphysis. Pain may also be felt in the adductor region, lower abdominal muscles, perineal region, inguinal region or scrotum. The pain is usually aggravated by running, cutting, hip adduction and flexion against resistance, and loading of the rectus abdominis. The pain can progress such that athletes are unable to sustain athletic activity at high levels. It is postulated that osteitis pubis is an overuse injury caused by biomechanical overloading of the pubic symphysis and adjacent parasymphyseal bone with subsequent bony stress reaction. The differential diagnosis for osteitis pubis is extensive and includes many other syndromes resulting in groin pain. Imaging, particularly in the form of MRI, may be helpful in making the diagnosis. Treatment is variable, but typically begins with conservative measures and may include injections and/or surgical procedures. Prolotherapy injections of dextrose, anti-inflammatory corticosteroids and a variety of surgical procedures have been reported in the literature with varying efficacies. Future studies of athletic osteitis pubis should attempt to define specific and reliable criteria to make the diagnosis of athletic osteitis pubis, empirically define standards of care and reduce the variability of proposed treatment regimens.     

甲状旁腺功能亢进骨病临床及影像学诊断

目的 进一步探讨甲状旁腺机能亢进（HPT）致骨改变的影像学诊断。方法收集1987年至2004年经手术病理和实验室检查证实的12例HPT患者骨关节影像学检查资料，并相互对照。结果根据是否合并纤维性骨炎分为2型：Ⅰ型为单纯骨质疏松／软化型，本型检查中CT不能比平片提供更多的信息；Ⅱ型为合并纤维性骨炎型。CT在显示纤维性骨炎部位、内部结构和骨髓受累方面优于平片。结论组织学分型与骨的影像学表现密切相关。CT在纤维性骨炎显示方面优于平片。     

Traumatic lesions of the discovertebral junction in the lumbar spine.

Lumbar discovertebral abnormalities thought to be due to endogenous or subclinical trauma were evaluated in 22 cases. These consisted of predominantly lytic areas due to intrabody disc herniation in five cases, broad zones of vertebral body sclerosis due to reactive osteitis in 11, and destruction of the vertebral endplates surrounded by diffuse sclerosis in six. Spinal biopsy and negative bacterial cultures were consistent with the diagnosis in eight cases. Follow-up roentgenograms and further clinical evaluation in the remaining 14 showed either no progression or changes consistent with trauma. Only four cases had a history of exogenous trauma. Intrabody disc herniations usually affected the upper vertebral body with characteristic sparing of the adjacent endplate. The sclerotic lesions tended to occur in the anterior portion of the vertebral body, with the inferior aspect of L4 most frequently involved. These may be confused with osteoblastic metastases, particularly if adjacent disc narrowing is minimal. The lack of progressive vertebral fragmentation helps to distinguish this condition from neuroarthropathy. Lesions characterized by destruction of the vertebral endplates and reactive sclerosis simulate infection; absence of a soft tissue mass and clinical signs of sepsis as well as lack of progression are important differential features.     

Prevention and management of osteitis pubis in the Australian Football League: A qualitative analysis

ObjectivesTo examine current practices and develop a set of recommendations for the management of osteitis pubis in the Australian Football League (AFL).DesignA qualitative study using in-depth interviews to gather data and thematic coding to analyze findings.SettingParticipants were interviewed in their workplace or at a convenient meeting point.ParticipantsThirty-six medical and fitness staff from the 16 AFL clubs.ResultsRespondents from all clubs viewed osteitis pubis as an overuse injury and recognized that the key to prevention is balancing pelvic integrity and load. Osteitis pubis was described as the end result of a continuum of groin pathology, and recognition of predisposing factors and early detection were identified as the key elements of optimal management. Management strategies included rest, training modification, cross-training, correction of predisposing factors, physical therapy and a progression back to competition. Most clubs also conduct generic prevention and education programs.ConclusionsOverall, respondents perceived that awareness and management of osteitis pubis is currently at a high level in the AFL. Management of osteitis pubis requires the balancing of pelvic integrity and mechanical load through the pelvis and the early identification of warning signs.     

Blast injuries of the ear]

Blast injury of the ear is the actual military medical problem. The ear, due to its anatomo-physiologic characteristics, is more sensitive to effects of blast waves than other organs and systems. The anatomic and functional ear damages, their symptoms, etiology and clinical course are described. The diagnosis and treatment have been pointed out.     

Radiology of the paraglenoid sulcus

The paraglenoid sulcus is a variable groove in the ilium adjacent to the inferior end of the sacroiliac joint. This study investigates the hypothesis that the groove is due to resorption at the insertion of the anterior sacroiliac ligament in response to stress. The anatomical relationships of the groove are shown with plain films, arteriography and computed tomography. Relationship to parity was tested in 70 adult female subjects; a statistically significant relationship was found, with deep grooves occurring only in parous women. An association with osteitis condensans ilii was also demonstrated. Relationship to lumbosacral posture was tested in 102 adult females, and an association with increased lumbar lordosis was found. These findings are consistent with our initial hypothesis.     

Condensing osteitis of the clavicle: a rare but frequently misdiagnosed condition

Condensing osteitis of the clavicle is a benign, often painful disorder, marked by bony sclerosis at the sternal end of the clavicle. It can be mistaken for other abnormalities such as Friedrich disease, bone island, osteoid osteoma, sternoclavicular osteoarthritis, and even a metastasis and osteosarcoma. Clinical, radiologic, scintigraphic, and histologic features of this condition are discussed and a brief overview of the treatment is provided. Three histologically proved cases are added to the 13 previously reported in the literature. Recognition of condensing osteitis of the clavicle may avoid the occasional unnecessarily aggressive diagnostic approach taken to search for a malignant tumor.     

Case report 623

A case of OCC in a 35-year-old woman is presented. Proof was obtained by open biopsy. This rare entity is benign and its etiology is still obscure. No definite association with osteitis pubis or osteitis condensans ilii has been reported. The involvement of the clavicle is invariably unilateral. The clinical and radiographic characteristics of this benign condition have been discussed and the differential diagnosis has been considered. Consideration should be given to the concept that if the imaging features are characteristic, as in this case, biopsy may not be necessary.     

Symphyseal cleft injection in the diagnosis and treatment of osteitis pubis in athletes

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the application, technique, and results of symphyseal cleft injection in athletes with osteitis pubis. CONCLUSION: Symphyseal cleft injection is a useful technique for the diagnosis and treatment of osteitis pubis in athletes. The procedure is well tolerated and may facilitate early resumption of competitive duties.     

Magnetic resonance findings of osteitis pubis

PURPOSE: To determine the correlation of MR findings with clinical features of osteitis pubis and to look for associating injuries complicating chronic cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pelvic MR images of the 22 elite athletes with groin pain were taken. Correlation analysis between the MR findings and clinical properties was carried out. RESULTS: Six of the MR findings had strong correlation with duration of symptoms. Subchondral bone marrow edema, fluid in symphysis pubis joint, and periarticular edema had significant correlation with acuity of the case. On the contrary, subchondral sclerosis, subchondral resorption and bony margin irregularities, and osteophytes correlated with the chronicity of the case. Associated tendon injuries correlated with the duration of symptoms; i.e., all tendon injuries were in chronic cases. CONCLUSION: Subchondral bone marrow edema, fluid in symphysis pubis joint, and periarticular edema are the most reliable MRI findings of osteitis pubis that has a history of less than six months. Subchondral sclerosis, subchondral resorption and bony margin irregularities, and osteophytes (or pubic beaking) are the most reliable MRI findings of the chronic disease that has been present for more than six months. Associated pathologies, especially adductor or other tendon injuries, underlie more than half of the chronic cases of osteitis pubis.     

External fixation and infection of soft tissues close to fracture localization

We evaluated the method of external fixation for stabilization of unstable closed and open first-degree diaphyseal fractures of long bones of lower extremities in 19 patients with infections of soft tissues close to the fracture location. The results are compared with those of another group (n = 392) of patients, with similar fractures without infections close to the fracture site, treated with inner stabilization methods. In the first group of patients, we noticed postoperative osteitis of the tibia in two cases (10%), but no pseudarthrosis or lesions of important blood vessels. In the second group of patients, the incidence of postoperative osteitis was 8.6% (n = 34) and the incidence of pseudarthrosis was 2% (n = 8). Among these patients, three lesions of important blood vessels were diagnosed. Our conclusion is that when the method of external fixation is used in combination with skillful operative techniques, the infection of soft tissues near the fracture location has no principal influence on the frequency of osteitis.     

Condensing osteitis of the clavicle

Two cases of condensing osteitis of the clavicle are reported in which plain films, computed tomography, scanning, and histologic findings established the diagnosis of this rare entity.     

FDG uptake in sacroiliac joint due to osteitis condensans ilii shown on PET/CT in a patient with breast cancer: the value of coregistered CT in avoiding misinterpretation

A 56-year-old woman with breast cancer underwent FDG PET/CT at follow-up. The PET images showed increased FDG uptake along right sacroiliac joint. The coregistered CT images showed diffuse sclerosis around the sacroiliac joints, but no bony destruction, periarticular erosion, or joint space narrowing. She had been complaining of intermittent lower back pain since her last pregnancy. The radiologic pictures and history of postpartum back pain were considered as typical characteristics for osteitis condensans ilii. This case reminds us that careful inspection of the coregistered CT images is important to avoid potential misinterpretation because of osteitis condensans ilii.     

Renal osteodystrophy in patients on hemodialysis as reflected in the bony pelvis.

Roentgen studies in a group of 131 patients on maintenance hemodialysis reveal renal osteodystrophy in 25 patients (19 per cent). In 24 patients of the latter group (98 per cent), the various manifestations of renal osteodystrophy appear in the bony pelvis. These include: osteomalacia; osteitis fibrosa; osteosclerosis; dialysis osteopenia; and extraosseous calcifications. Some of the changes, i.e., bending of bone, Looser's lines, metaphyseal fractures and dialysis osteopenia, are due, at least in part, to the weight bearing nature of the bony pelvis. These findings are ararely, if ever, seen in the digits or in other non-weight bearing bones. It is therefore proposed to evaluate the bony pelvis, together with the magnification digital roentgenogram, when a less costly and less time consuming skeletal survey is needed in hemodialized patients.     

SPECT/CT of osteitis condensans ilii: one-stop shop imaging

A 16-year-old, nonpregnant, healthy, and sportive teenager suffers from intermittent low back pain. Pelvic x-ray complemented by bone-SPECT/CT demonstrated an uncommon benign condition called osteitis condensans ilii. In the early phase, it is of paramount importance to distinguish osteitis condensans ilii from sacroiliitis or ankylosing spondylitis. This case report highlights the incremental value of performing one-stop shop hybrid SPECT/low-dose CT bone imaging in diagnosing and managing this rare benign skeletal condition.     

畸形性骨炎全身骨显像1例及文献复习

目的分析畸形性骨炎的影像表现。方法1例52岁妇女临床怀疑畸形性骨炎（Paget＇s disease）接受了^99Tc-MDP全身骨显像。而后，结合文献分析了其影像表现。结果^99Tc-MDP全身骨显像显示头颅与下颌骨呈普遍性、均匀性放射性浓聚，两侧肩胛骨、肋骨、骶髂关节下部也有散在的放射性增高区，脊柱表现为侧弯畸形。结论畸形性骨炎的主要影像特征是全身骨广泛弥漫性浓集放射性核素^99Tc-MDP，但确诊需结合临床血清检验。     

Pustulotic arthro-osteitis: defining the radiologic spectrum of the disease

Pustulotic arthro-osteitis (PAO) was termed by Sonozaki et al., who discussed the relationship between palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) and osteoarticular inflammation. Manifestations of PAO are observed in the anterior chest wall, the spine, the pelvis, the sacroiliac joint, and the long bones. Hyperostosis is a radiological feature of PAO; furthermore, anterior chest wall involvement is common. The term SAPHO syndrome (SAPHO being an acronym for synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hypertostosis, and osteitis) has been coined to describe disease that manifests sterile inflammatory bone lesions together with skin eruptions. SAPHO syndrome groups together the following osteo-articular lesions that have been described as separate medical entities: chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), PAO, and arthro-osteitis associated with a follicular occlusive triad. Osseous changes due to psoriasis vulgaris and generalized pustular psoriasis can be radiologically and clinically distinguishable from osseous changes due to PPP, acne, and CRMO as seronegative spondyloarthropathies.     

Radionuclide and radiographic demonstration of condensing osteitis of the clavicle

Radionuclide and radiographic images of a case of condensing osteitis of the clavicle are presented. The clinical and radiographic features are discussed along with a differential diagnosis of sclerotic lesions of the clavicle.