Radiological features of autosomal recessive osteopetrosis

Clinical Cases 09.02.2011
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Section: Musculoskeletal system
Case Type: Clinical Cases
Patient: 4 months, female
Authors: Bulleri A, Masullo MG, Zangani M, Turturici L, Perrone E, Caramella D, Bartolozzi C
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Clinical History

A 4-month-old female newborn with fever lasting for one month, anaemia, thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly. Moreover the patient was blind and deaf.

Imaging Findings

A 4-month-old blind and deaf female newborn with fever, anaemia, thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly, was admitted to our department to performe a chest X-ray (Fig. 1). It showed a parenchymal consolidation in the right upper lobe indicating pneumonia. Moreover, we noticed the increase of bone density of all skeletal elements with the enlargement of anterior and posterior segments of all the ribs and loss of medullary space. These radiographic findings were suspicious for osteopetrosis. CT (Fig. 2) was performed but a bone biopsy (Fig. 3) was necessary to confirm diagnosis.

Discussion

Osteopetrosis comprises a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of conditions characterised by increased bone density on radiographs due to abnormalities in osteoclast differentiation or function. The most important types of osteopetrosis are: a recessive inherited neonatal or infantile severe form, an intermediate recessive form, a tubular acidosis form and a dominantly inherited late onset relatively mild form. Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis is a very rare disease (1:200.000), but it is more frequently seen in ethnic groups where consanguinity is common. It is caused by a mutantion in the gene encoding the a3 subunit of H+ vacuolar ATPase expressed on osteoclasts (Cr 11q 12-13). Affected children usually present within the first year of life. The classical skeletal features of the disease are increased bone density, diffuse and focal sclerosis, modelling defects at metaphyses, pathological fractures and dental abnormalities. Other manifestations include visual impairment and other signs and symptoms caused by cranial nerve compression (II, VII and VIII), bone marrow failure with anaemia, hepatosplenomegaly for compensatory extramedullary haematopoiesis and recurrent infections. The diagnosis is clinical and largely depends on the radiographic appearance of the skeleton. A bone biopsy and a genetic test can be used to confirm the diagnosis and differentiate between different subtypes of osteopetrosis.
The treatment is based on corticosteroids, interferon gamma, calcitriol, parathyroid hormone and bone marrow transplantation.

Differential Diagnosis List

Infantile type osteopetrosis
Osteoblastic cancer metastases
Lymphoma
Paget`s disease (sclerosing form)
Chondrodysplasia punctata
Myelofibrosis

Final Diagnosis

Infantile type osteopetrosis

Liscense

Figures

Chest X-ray

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Chest X-ray

CT scans

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CT scans
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CT scans
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CT scans
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CT scans
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CT scans
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CT scans
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CT scans
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CT scans

Bone biopsy

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Bone biopsy
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Bone biopsy