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Image Description

Radiologic features of fibrous dysplasia: The affected bone is usually expanded. The lesion is well-circumscribed, lytic or ground-glass like in density (on plain radiographs) in a metaphyseal or diaphyseal location. It may have multiloculated appearance due to endosteal scalloping. It is often surrounded by a thick layer of reactive sclerotic bone (rind sign). There is no periosteal reaction. There may be bowing and/or pathologic fracture. In polyostotic form, multiple bones are affected, usually on one side.

Case history: Fibrous dysplasia in a 30 y/o male. This plain radiograph shows mixed lytic and sclerotic lesion related to the femoral metaphysis. There appears to be slight bowing. Some areas have a ground-glass appearance. This case demonstrates typical appearances of fibrous dysplasia, which is initially ground glass in childhood, but as one ages, the lesion become more sclerotic.

Case courtesy of Dr Yi-Jin Kuok, Radiopaedia.org. From the case rID: 17974

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