Sclerosing bone dysplasias: a pictorial essay

Radiol Bras. 2025 Jan 6:57:e20240058. doi: 10.1590/0100-3984.2024.0058-en. eCollection 2024 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Sclerosing bone dysplasias encompass abnormalities in bone density, divided into hereditary and nonhereditary forms. Primarily diagnosed through radiography, they are often incidental findings. Among the hereditary forms, the following stand out: osteopetrosis, osteopoikilosis, multiple diaphyseal sclerosis (ribbing disease), osteopathia striata, and Camurati-Engelmann disease. Among the nonhereditary forms, intramedullary osteosclerosis and melorheostosis present specific radiographic characteristics. The main differential diagnoses include osteoblastic metastases, tuberous sclerosis, and renal osteodystrophy, requiring careful differentiation because of their similarities.

As displasias ósseas esclerosantes abrangem anormalidades na densidade óssea, divididas em hereditárias e não hereditárias. Diagnosticadas principalmente por radiografia, muitas vezes são achados incidentais. Entre as formas hereditárias destacam-se a osteopetrose, a osteopoiquilose, a esclerose diafisária múltipla, a osteopatia estriada e a doença de Camurati-Engelmann. Entre as formas não hereditárias, a osteosclerose intramedular e a melorreostose apresentam características radiográficas específicas. Diferenciais importantes incluem as metástases osteoblásticas, a esclerose tuberosa e a osteodistrofia renal, exigindo diferenciação cuidadosa em razão das suas semelhanças.

Keywords: Bone diseases, developmental; Hyperostosis; Osteosclerosis.