The utility of MR in assessing Blount disease.
OBJECTIVE
To review the MR appearances of Blount disease.


METHODS
The MR examinations of six knees in four patients (ages 6-7 years) with Blount disease were reviewed.


RESULTS
All patients showed delay in ossification of the medial tibial epiphysis. A spectrum of changes was seen in and around the tibial growth plate including: widening and depression of the medial growth plate; small and deep intrusions of cartilage into the metaphysis; edema of the medial tibial epiphysis and medial and lateral metaphysis; varus deformity of the lower leg; widening of the lateral growth plate; osteochondral injury to the medial femoral condyle; hypertrophy of the medial meniscus; focal bone bridging.


CONCLUSIONS
MR appearances are consistent with the primary abnormality in Blount disease, which is failure of endochondral ossification of the medial growth plate. MR examination is useful in surgical planning.
Craig
Joseph G
JG
Department of Radiology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202-2689, USA. josephc@rad.hfh.edu
van Holsbeeck
Marnix
M
Zaltz
Ira
I
D001848:Bone Diseases, Developmental / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic; D000072042:Salter-Harris Fractures; D013977:Tibia / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology