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Case Reports
. 2002:22:86-9.

Osteochondrosis of the superior pole of the patella: two cases with histologic correlation

Wakenda Tyler  1 , Edward F McCarthy
Affiliations
Case Reports

Osteochondrosis of the superior pole of the patella: two cases with histologic correlation

Wakenda Tyler et al. Iowa Orthop J. 2002.

Abstract

Two cases of osteochondrosis of the superior pole of the patella are reported with histologic findings. Both patients were young girls; one had mild cerebral palsy. Sixteen cases of this disorder have been documented but without histologic study. The histologic features of these two cases showed osteonecrosis with reparative changes. These findings support that this entity is similar to other osteochondroses of the quadriceps mechanism: Osgood-Schlatter disease and Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease.

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Figures

A
A. AP radiograph showing irregularity of the superior pole of the patella
B
B. Lateral radiograph showing fragmentation of the superior pole with additional radiodensities due to cartilaginous repair
Figure 2
Figure 2. Photomicrograph (H & E x 160) of tissue removed from Case 1 showing necrotic bone and marrow
Figure 3
Figure 3
Lateral radiograph of right knee of 7 year old girl showing fragmentation of the upper pole the patella.
A
A
Photomicrograph (H & E x 140) showing necrotic bone. The necrotic marrow shows early fibrosis.
B
B
Photomicrograph (H & E x 80) showing reparative bone cartilage and granulation tissue.
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References

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