Anat Cell Biol.  2021 Jun;54(2):280-284. 10.5115/acb.20.323.

Gross and radiographic appearance of porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia in thalassemia affected skulls

• Chaichun A
• Yurasakpong L
• Suwannakhan A
• Iamsaard S
• Arun S
• Chaiyamoon A

• KMID: 2516912
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.20.323

Abstract

Porotic hyperostosis (PH) is the expansion of the cranial diploë, generating ‘hair-on-end’ appearance on X-rays. This condition is extremely rare and had a prevalence of 0.08%. It is alternatively known as cribra orbitalia (CO) when the orbital roof is affected. In this study, we describe the gross morphology of two skulls affected by PH and CO. The first skull belonged to a 41-year-old female previously diagnosed with beta thalassemia. The skull was affected by excessive PH and CO. The second skull, belonging to a 35-year-old male diagnosed with unspecified thalassemia, showed PH without CO. The etiology of PH and CO is discussed. In conclusion, PH and CO are extremely rare, and are of significant importance for radiologists and anatomists when interpreting radiographs or encountering unusual gross morphology of the skull.

Keyword

Porotic hyperostosis; Cribra orbitalia; Hair-on-end; Thalassemia

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Gross appearance of the skull belonging to a 41-year-old female who was clinically diagnosed with beta thalassemia (A–C) showing PH and cribra orbitalia. The second skull (D–F) belonged to a 35-year-old male diagnosed with unspecified thalassemia showing PH. PH, porotic hyperostosis.

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  Fig. 2 X-ray frontal (A, C) and lateral view (B, D) projections of the first skull (A, B) and second skull (C, D) showing the ‘hair-on-end’ appearance.

Reference

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