J Korean Soc Radiol.  2010 Aug;63(2):185-187.

Symmetric Presentation of Melorheostosis Involving Multiple Flat Bones in the Thorax: A Case Report

• Oh JS
• Park HJ
• Kim JY
• Kim KJ
• Jung WS

Abstract

Melorheostosis is a rare bone dysplasia of unknown etiology that usually affects a single limb and is characterized by cortical thickening, with a flowing candle wax appearance, extending vertically along the surface of the long bone. We report a case of polyostotic melorheostosis symmetrically involving multiple flat bones, ribs, and the scapulas. This is the first case of melorheostosis symmetrically involving multiple flat bones.

MeSH Terms

Bone Diseases, Developmental
Extremities
Melorheostosis
Ribs
Scapula
Thorax
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A 55-year-old man with melorheostosis A. Chest radiography shows multifocal irregular hyperostotic changes of the cortices of both scapulas and upper ribs. B. Axial CT scan shows nodular cortical thickening along both the first and second ribs and spines of both scapulas. C, D. Coronal and sagittal multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images showing uneven nodular cortical thickening with flowing candle wax appearance along both ribs, scapulas and the anterior column of the thoracic vertebral bodies. Note the sclerosis affects the cortex and does not extend into the bone marrow.

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