Osteomesopyknosis: a benign familial disorder of bone

A family with osteomesopyknosis is described. This condition is a rare benign bone dysplasia, characterized by patchy sclerosis predominantly involving the axial skeleton. The radiographic appearances may be confused with osteoblastic metastases, renal bone disease and other sclerosing bone disorders. As routine blood tests and isotope bone scans are normal in osteomesopyknosis, differentiation is readily achieved.