title: Microfoci of avascular necrosis in sickle cell anemia: pathophysiology of the dot dash pattern.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Definition of the nature of calcaneal "erosions" in sickle cell anemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Skeletons of individuals demonstrated to have had sickle cell anemia were examined for the presence of calcaneal surface discontinuity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Calcaneal and articular surface osseous microinfarction were identified macroscopically and confirmed radiologically by CT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This appears to be the first macroscopic identification of calcaneal and articular surface osseous microinfarction in sickle cell anemia and explains the osseous pathology that appears so unique to sickle cell anemia.
authors.affiliation: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Rothschild
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Sebes
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hershkovitz
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed