Melorheostosis: A case report

• Published in: Revista brasileira de ortopedia (English ed.) 2013-05, Vol.48 (3), p.282-285
• Main Authors: Alpoim, Bruno Pereira, Rodrigues, Maria Elisa Gonçalves Ribeiro, Félix, António José Marques, Marques, Pedro Miguel Dantas Costa, Sá, Pedro Miguel Gomes, Silva, Luís Fernando Nunes Pires
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Report; Melorheostosis Osteosclerosis Hyperostosis
• ISSN: 2255-4971; 2255-4971
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rboe.2012.07.007

Melorheostosis is a rare disease (0.9/million habitants), characterized by linear hyperostosis along the cortex bone. It can affect any bone, being more frequent in long bones. The lesions tend to be segmental and unilateral. The etiology remains unknown although several theories proposed over the past year (vascular, inflammatory processes, embryonic defects or genetic). Show no significant difference between sexes or heredity. Clinical manifestations are mainly pain, deformity and joint stiffness. The diagnosis is obtained by combining the clinical findings with imaging studies (mainly radiography with typical image in “candle wax”). There is no definitive or specific treatment, being always palliative. We describe a case of a patient of twenty-four years, followed in Orthopedic consultation since age eight, with a deformity of the right side of the body. X-rays showed hyperostosis of the bones of the limbs in the right side of the body (image in “candle wax”). The patient is in physical therapy program and has a positive response to analgesia with ibuprofen.