Condensing osteitis of the clavicle: MRI

Condensing osteitis of the clavicle is a rare benign disorder, seen exclusively in women and characterized by expansion and sclerosis of the medial end of the clavicle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the MR findings of this disorder.

MR images, obtained in four patients with evidence of condensing osteitis of the clavicle based on plain radiographs and clinical symptoms, included pre- and postcontrast T1 SE sequences, T2 SE images, GE images.

MR images revealed consistent hypointense areas on T1-weighted SE images, corresponding to regions of clavicular sclerosis (n = 4). T2-weighted SE images showed signal characteristics ranging from low intermediate signal intensity in regions of sclerosis (n = 4). T2-weighted GE images revealed moderate to high signal intensity presumably related to bone marrow edema (n = 2). Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted SE images were characterized by mild to extensive intraosseous and periosseous enhancement of signal intensity (n = 2).

MRI in cases of condensing osteitis of the clavicle reveals variable findings perhaps indicative of different stages of activity in this disease.