title: Distribution of the metatarsophalangeal sesamoids in Turkish subjects.
abstract: No statistically significant pattern of metatarsophalangeal sesamoid distribution has been reported in the literature in relation to genetic pool or group, unilaterality or bilaterality, or sesamoid division. A study was undertaken to evaluate the presence and distribution of the metatarsophalangeal sesamoid bones of the foot in Turkish subjects. A total of 602 foot radiographs from 371 patients without forefoot complaints other than those of the hallux were included in the study. Absence or hypoplasia of the first-ray sesamoids was seen on 0.7% of the radiographs, and second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-ray sesamoids were present on 2.8%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 15.1% of the radiographs, respectively. Fifth-ray sesamoids were more prevalent in men (odds ratio, 2.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.52-4.84). The frequency of a normal foot profile (two sesamoids in the first ray) was 83.2%. Divisions of the sesamoids were seen on 4.0% of the radiographs at the first ray and on 20.9% at the fifth ray. Distribution and division of sesamoids were predominantly bilateral (kappa = 0.91, 0.91, and 0.95 for the first, second, and fifth digits, respectively; P < .001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Pamukkale University School of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esat
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kiter
authors.forename: Semih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.forename: B Alper
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Kiliç
authors.forename: Fahir
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Demirkan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008683:Metatarsophalangeal Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012716:Sesamoid Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014421:Turkey