Abstract
Carpal-tarsal osteolysis is a rare condition that manifests as the progressive resorption of carpal and tarsal bones in young children. The diagnosis of this condition is often difficult and delayed as the initial clinical presentation is non-specific. Radiographic changes occur gradually, are often not seen at presentation and depend on recognising loss of bone in the ossification centres of the carpus and tarsus. MRI demonstrates morphological abnormalities in the cartilaginous, as well as the osseous components, of the developing carpal and tarsal bones and therefore may be helpful in predating the radiographic changes. Ultrasound appears to contribute little to the diagnosis and may be misleading. Exclusion of other conditions, particularly juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is important in making the diagnosis. MRI can be useful in excluding an inflammatory arthropathy, and suggesting the diagnosis of carpal-tarsal osteolysis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
De Stefano P, Pignatti CB, Bailo C. Radiological case of the month. Carpal-tarsal osteolysis. Am J Dis Child 1985; 139(8): 793–794.
Taybi H, Lachman RS. Taybi and Lachman’s radiology of syndromes, metabolic disorders and skeletal dysplasias, 5th edn. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier; 2007: 601–604.
Spranger JW, Brill PW, Poznanski A. Bone dysplasias: an atlas of genetic disorders of skeletal development, 2nd edn. New York: Oxford University Press; 2002: 596–601.
Faber MR, Verlaak R, Fiselier TJ, Hamel BC, Franssen MJ, Gerrits GP. Inherited multicentric osteolysis with carpal-tarsal localisation mimicking juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Eur J Pediatr 2004; 163(10): 612–618.
Thomas CW, Bisset AJ, Sampson MA, Armstrong RD. Multicentric carpal/tarsal osteolysis: imaging review and 25-year follow-up. Clin Radiol 2006; 61: 892–895.
Choi IH, Lee DY, Nam KS, Kim IO, Scott CI Jr. Carpal and tarsal osteolysis: an MRI, angiographic and histopathologic study. Pediatr Radiol 1993; 23(7): 553–555.
Lemaitre l, Remy J, Smith M, et al. Carpal and tarsal osteolysis. Pediatr Radiol 1983; 13(4): 219–226.
Zagury A, Neto JG. Idiopathic carpotarsal osteolysis with nephropathy. Pediatr Nephrol 2001; 16: 121–126.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McDonald, K., Toms, A.P., Armon, K. et al. Carpal-tarsal osteolysis with elbow involvement. Skeletal Radiol 36, 1097–1101 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0346-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0346-y