Rickets on MR images

Background. The pathologic changes at the physis in patients with rickets have been well demonstrated histologically. Radiographs can depict only the associated osseous abnormalities. Patients and methods. We report two children in whom MR imaging demonstrated rachitic changes in the physeal cartilage beyond the well-recognized bony features. Results. The striking appearance of the physes and the physes of the secondary ossification centers confirm that MR imaging can successfully evaluate the cartilaginous structures of the developing skeleton. Conclusion. Though MR imaging is clearly unnecessary for the diagnosis of rickets, it is important that the typical features are not misinterpreted as other pathology. Received: 11 June 1998 Accepted: 8 February 1999