Dysplasia Epiphysealis Hemimelica: A Case Report

Kim, Jin Young; Moon, Myung Sang; Chun, Kwang Nam

Abstract

A case of dysplasia eplphyseaalis hemlmelica (Fairbank, 1956) in a 8 years old boy, showlng typical clinical and roentgenographical appearance, is reported together wlth a brief review of literature in this paper. This condition is a rare developmental disorder of childhood in which there is a asymmetrical cartilaginous overgrowth of one or more than one epiphysis, or of a tarsal or carpal bone. Thls disorder is usually Iimited to elther the medial or lateral half of a single extremity. The disease is characterised radiographically by delay in the appearance of the epiphyseal nucleus, which is mottied and of irregular density. The most common deformities were genu valgum or varum and valgus or equinus deformity of the ankle. These deformities tended to increased wlth growth but the size of the lesion increased in proportion to the growth of the normal bone. Concomitant involvement of the knee and ankle is the rule, and in those cases the affected limb Is usually longer than Its mate. The lesion Is often microscopically indistingulshable from an osteochondroma.