Melorheostosis of the hand in a 7-year-old girl

Cross-Sectional Imaging Useful in Melorheostosis

Melorheostosis is a rare disease of bone overgrowth that is primarily diagnosed based on imaging studies. Recently, the association of different radiological patterns of the disease with distinct genetic cause was reported. Several case reports have described the radiological findings in patients with melorheostosis. However, the added value of cross‐sectional imaging with CT and MRI beyond X‐rays has not been investigated. The aim of the current study was to investigate this existing gap in knowledge. Forty patients with melorheostosis seen at the National Institute of Health Clinical Center were included in the study, and all their imaging studies were analyzed. The sequence of interpretation was X‐ray followed by CT and then MRI. CT images were extracted from whole‐body 18F‐sodium fluoride positron emission tomography/CT studies. The information from CT reclassified the initial X‐rays based radiological pattern in 13 patients. Additionally, CT comprehensively identified joint involvement and disease extent. In 76% of patients (n = 29) who underwent MRI, additional findings were noted, ranging from soft tissue edema to identification of soft tissue masses and incidental findings. MRI did not provide additional information on skeletal lesions beyond CT scans. However, it revealed the extension of soft tissue ossification into ischiofemoral space in four patients who complained of deep gluteal pain consistent with ischiofemoral impingement syndrome. In addition, MRI revealed soft tissue edema in 20 patients, 9 of whom had bone marrow edema and periosteal edema in the tibias consistent with shin splints. These findings suggest that select patients with melorheostosis should be evaluated with both CT and MRI, particularly patients in whom the distribution of pain does not correlate with the anatomic location of the disease in plain radiographs. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Debridement arthroplasty of a rare case of elbow stiffness. A case report and literature review

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Melorheostosis of the elbow associated with elbow stiffness is extremely rare.

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In the standard radiology or orthopedics literature Melorheostosis (from the Greek: melos = limb, rheos = flow) is described monotonously as a “flowing hyperostosis” resembling dripping candle wax.

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Patients with this condition may have joint pain, stiffness, deformity, and restricted range of motion due to bony and soft-tissue contracture. Involvement usually follows a sclerotomal distribution and usually affects only one extremity.

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There is no standard treatment for melorheostosis, and management plans must be made on an individual patient basis. The aims of treatment are pain relief and maintaining function.

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Some Surgical treatment for this condition includes tendon lengthening, excision of fibrous and osseous tissue, fasciotomy, capsulotomy, sympathectomy, corrective osteotomy, Ilizarov lengthening, arthrodesis, implant arthroplasty, and even amputation of severely affected limbs with vascular ischemia.

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In this study we found that debridement arthroplasty is safe and effective in treating elbow stiffness associated with Melorheostosis.

Introduction

Elbow stiffness is a common condition that affects the quality of life of patients. Melorheostosis of the elbow associated with elbow stiffness is extremely rare.

Presentation of case

We report the case of a 28 yr old male who presented with elbow stiffness which occurred within one year without prior history of trauma or infection. The patient had decrease in range of motion together with progressive worsening pain that forced him to seek medical attention.

Discussion

There is no standard treatment for melorheostosis, and management plans must be made on an individual patient basis. The aims of treatment are pain relief and maintaining function.

Conclusion

Debridement arthroplasty is safe and effective in treating elbow stiffness associated with Melorheostosis.

Melorheostosis: clinicopathological features, diagnosis, and management

Melorheostosis is a rare sclerosing bone disease. This article describes the histological patterns and radiographic characteristics commonly associated with melorheostosis. A paucity of compiled data about the disease in the literature necessitated a comprehensive review to further define its management.