Enlarged phalangeal nutrient foramina in Gaucher disease and beta-thalassemia major.

The posteroanterior hand films of 10 of 15 patients with Gaucher disease demonstrated enlarged nutrient foramina when compared with a control group matched for patient gender and age. Similar findings were also noted in seven of 22 patients with beta-thalassemia major. Enlargement of nutrient foramina in the hands may indicate the existence of a hematologic disorder.