Acro-osteolysis: imaging, differential diagnosis, and disposition review

Skeletal Radiol. 2023 Jan;52(1):9-22. doi: 10.1007/s00256-022-04145-y. Epub 2022 Aug 15.

Abstract

Acro-osteolysis is the osseous destruction of the hand or foot distal phalanges. The categories of the disease include terminal tuft, midshaft, or mixed types. Recognition of acro-osteolysis is straightforward on radiographs, but providing an accurate differential diagnosis and appropriately recommending advanced imaging or invasive tissue diagnosis can be more elusive. A radiologist's ability to provide advanced assessment can greatly aid clinicians in expedient diagnosis and management of the array of diseases presenting with acro-osteolysis.

Keywords: Acro-osteolysis; Osteolysis; Phalanges; Resorption.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acro-Osteolysis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Finger Phalanges* / diagnostic imaging
  • Hand / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Osteolysis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography