Pediatric Radiology > Musculoskeletal > Trauma > Stress Reactions
Stress Reactions
Stress
fractures are injuries caused by repetitive trauma. Stress injuries usually
manifest themselves when a new or intense activity is started. Most common
locations: tibia > fibula > metatarsals > calcaneus. Radiographic
appearances include a) periosteal new bone formation, b) transverse or
oblique band of sclerosis, or c) a lucent line surrounded by sclerosis.
Often new periosteal bone will be the only finding. |
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Stress reaction involving the tibia. Lateral radiograph (left) of a 13-year-old boy shows marked cortical thickening and sclerosis surrounding a horizontal lucency through the anterior cortex of the tibia. AP radiograph (right) of a 6-year-old boy demonstrates periosteal reaction (arrow) on the medial aspect of the proximal tibia. |