Pseudofractures

Overview

• There are multiple reasons why lucent lines may appear in bones, or why bone contours may appear abnormal, mimicking fractures.

Causes

• Anatomical variants (congenital anomalies)
• Developmental findings in children (growth plates, ossification centers)—need comparison views
• Degenerative changes (elderly patients), old trauma
• Nutrient artery foramina
• Imaging artifacts (e.g., Mach band adjacent to overlapping bones)
• Suboptimal or incorrect positioning

References and Links

• Schwartz DT, Reisdorff EJ. Emergency Radiology, McGraw-Hill 2000.