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Nutrient foramina in the phalanges of the hands
Journal of the Canadian Association of Radiologists
|December 1, 1984
Summary
Nutrient foramina in finger bones are common and typically appear as small radiolucencies on hand X-rays. These bone features are more frequent in women and middle finger bones, with a normal diameter under 1 mm.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Nutrient foramina are vascular channels within bones, appearing as radiolucencies on radiographs.
- Their normal appearance and distribution in the phalanges are not extensively documented.
- Abnormalities in foramina size can indicate underlying systemic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the normal distribution and size of nutrient foramina in the terminal and middle phalanges of the fingers.
- To establish reference ranges for foraminal diameters on hand radiographs.
- To identify potential demographic variations in foramina occurrence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of antero-posterior (AP) hand radiographs from 218 patients.
- Systematic evaluation of nutrient foramina in the terminal and middle phalanges.
- Measurement of foraminal diameters and assessment of their frequency.
- Statistical analysis considering age and sex.
Main Results:
- No increased frequency of foramina was observed in childhood.
- Foramina were more frequently observed in women than in men when age was disregarded.
- The middle phalanges showed the highest incidence of foramina in both sexes.
- The upper limit of normal foraminal diameter was determined to be 1 mm (uncorrected).
Conclusions:
- The study provides normative data for nutrient foramina in finger phalanges.
- A 1 mm diameter serves as a threshold for identifying potentially enlarged foramina.
- Enlarged nutrient foramina may be indicative of certain hematological and genetic disorders, including Gaucher's disease, sickle cell anemia, and thalassemia.