Epiphysial ossification centres in iliosacral joints: anatomy and computed tomography

Bilateral apparently bony structures of different forms and sizes located in the inferior and superior ventral parts of the sacroiliac joints were observed on axial CT images of the pelvic region of juvenile patients. No other pathological changes were noted in the sacroiliac joints of these individuals. In one patient the bony structures could also be seen on a conventional plain radiograph. We also examined 3 juvenile autopsy specimens of this joint using radiology, CT, macroscopical evaluation and histology. In two of them, structures could be detected on the CT scans which were similar to those observed in the young patients. Macroscopic investigations revealed the structures to be secondary ossification centres located in the articular cartilage of the lateral part of the os sacrum at the levels of the first and third sacral segments. According to older anatomical literature, these epiphysial ossification centres contribute to the auricular surface of the lateral part of the os sacrum and the free lateral surface of the inferior sacral parts. They can be observed between the ages of 12 and 25 years and begin to synostose with the lateral part around the age of 18 years. In macerated juvenile specimens of the bony pelvis, free ossicles were not detectable in the region of the sacroiliac joints. Histological peculiarities of the ossification process observed are discussed. These physiologically occurring ossification centres are to be differentiated from pathological alterations appearing as bony or bone-like structures on CT scans.