April 21, 2012

Sternal Foramen

Axial, sagittal-reformatted and 3D CT images of the sternum shows a small round defect in the lower third of the sternum (arrows)

Facts: Sternal Foramen
  • Small round/oval defect in the lower third of the sternum
  • Incomplete fusion of multiple ossification centers
  • Usually asymptomatic and of no clinical significance
  • Prevalence 6.7% in autopsy population
Imaging
  • Mostly incidentally found on chest CT
  • Usually solitary
  • Mostly in the body of the sternum. Rare in the manubrium

Reference:
Yekeler E, et al. Frequency of sternal variations and anomalies evaluated by MDCT. AJR 2006;186:956-960


April 10, 2012

Osteoid Osteoma

A frontal view of the right femur of a teenage boy demonstrates an ill-defined sclerotic area (arrows) in the proximal diaphysis with thickened cortex.

A coronal-reformatted CT image shows a well-defined lucency (arrow) within the central portion of sclerotic medulla. Within that lucency, a tiny calcific nidus is seen. Thickened cortex is also observed.

Facts: Osteoid Osteoma
  • Self-limited benign osteogenic tumor consisting of a vascular mass (nidus) surrounded by reactive bone sclerosis
  • Male predominance (male:female = 2:1). Teenagers and young adults (90% of cases between 5-30 years old)
  • Characteristic pain referring to the nearest joint, worse at night. Pain is relieved by aspirin or NSAIDs
  • Treatment options: surgical excision, CT-guided percutaneous resection or destruction of the nidus
Imaging Appearance
  • Location: cortex, medulla or periosteum (anywhere but cortex most common)
  • Long bones of lower extremity (esp femoral neck) most commonly affected. Almost never seen in flat bones and craniofacial bones
  • Central lucent area (nidus) surrounded by sclerotic bone (nidus may be subtle and has variable degree of calcification)
  • CT is helpful to identify the nidus (as in our case)
  • MRI can be misleading because reactive bone marrow edema and soft tissue involvement may mimic malignancy
Our case: osteoid osteoma centered in the medullary cavity. The diagnosis was confirmed by CT (showing a lucent nidus with calcification) and clinical picture.

Reference:
Kadir S. Teaching Atlas of Interventional Radiology, 2005.
Vioria VJ, et al. Orthopaedic Pathology,

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