Pseudofracture is a radiological finding on an xray.
As its name It is an appearance similar to a fracture line but is not a fracture in true sense, hence the name. However, some consider it to be a form of insufficiency type of stress fracture.
A pseudofracture appears as a lucent area on radiographs that is oriented at right angles to the cortex and extends from the surface across the diameter of the bone. Frequently sclerosis occurs at margins between bones, and callus-like new bone is observed at the periosteal margin.
Pseudofractures are typically found in the axillary margins of the scapula, ribs, pubic rami, proximal ends of the femora and ulna. [These regions of presilection are in ptients of osteomalacia]
Pseudofractures are also called as Looser Zones. They represent deficient mineralization.
They were first described by Milkman in patients of osteomalacia and have come to be known as Milkman’s syndrome.
Pseudofractures have typically been associated with osteomalcia and similar shadows on radiographs [There is controversy whether the shadows in these diseases are actually pseudofractures or different entity with similar appearance] reported in in following diseases
- Early and late osteogenesis imperfecta
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Paget’s disease,
- Adrenal-pituitary bone dystrophy
- Congenital syphilis,
- Osteopetrosis
- Certain blood dyscrasias.
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