The diagnosis of so-called "constitutional" bone dysmorphias (embryonal osteochondropathies)

The authors review the diagnosis of so-called "consitutional" bone diseases. They criticise the international nomenclature and classification of the latter and propose a diagnostic classification for embryonal osteochondropathies, which is virtually independent of the structural and metabolic criteria, based on the criterion of site and the extent of pathological manifestations. They also examine the term "dysmorphia" given that it is the shape of the bone segment which first attracts attention and guides the clinical diagnosis of embryonal osteochrondropathies.