Alan E Oestreich1. 1. Department of Radiology, 5031, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3039, USA, alan.oestreich@cchmc.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Statements have been made in the literature and in legal testimony that misrepresent the radiographic finding of concave distal end of the ulnar metaphysis. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that a concave distal end of the ossified ulna in infancy can be normal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty distal wrists of randomly selected infants in the first year of life with radiographic evidence that ruled out rickets were reviewed. RESULTS: In 16 of the cases (20%), mild or moderate concavity of the distal end of the ulna was seen. An intact metaphyseal collar of distal radius or ulna confirmed the absence of radiographic rickets. CONCLUSION: The finding of 20% of concave distal ulnas in the first year of life confirms the widely acknowledged statements that concave distal end of the ulna alone is not indicative of rickets. Statements to the contrary are not justified.
BACKGROUND: Statements have been made in the literature and in legal testimony that misrepresent the radiographic finding of concave distal end of the ulnar metaphysis. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that a concave distal end of the ossified ulna in infancy can be normal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty distal wrists of randomly selected infants in the first year of life with radiographic evidence that ruled out rickets were reviewed. RESULTS: In 16 of the cases (20%), mild or moderate concavity of the distal end of the ulna was seen. An intact metaphyseal collar of distal radius or ulna confirmed the absence of radiographic rickets. CONCLUSION: The finding of 20% of concave distal ulnas in the first year of life confirms the widely acknowledged statements that concave distal end of the ulna alone is not indicative of rickets. Statements to the contrary are not justified.