Skip to main content
Log in

MRI findings in Caffey's disease

  • Originals
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A patient with infantile cortical hyperostosis (ICH) is presented. Common features in all reported patients include: onset in the early part of the 1st year, tender swellings in more than one site and multiple scattered hyperostoses, shown by radiography, but no previous study has determined the cause or origin of ICH. Biopsy of bony lesions only reveals hyperplasia of the lamellar cortical bone, without inflammation or subperiosteal haemorrhage. Although MRI resulted in excellent images for differentiation between bony and soft tissue structures and for evaluation of the extent of soft tissue involvement, it had no additional value in the management of the patient. Only in questionable cases can MRI provide additional information about the presence of a subperiosteal haemorrhage. Radiographic examination, in addition to clinical history and physical examination, is considered sufficient with regard to differential diagnosis and follow up of ICH.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Caffey J, Silverman WA (1945) Infantile cortical hyperostoses: preliminary report on a new syndrome. AJR 54: 1–16

    Google Scholar 

  2. Caffey J (1957) Infantile cortical hyperostosis: a review of the clinical and radiographic features Proc R Soc Med 50: 347–354

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Borochowitz Z, Gozal D, Misselevitch I, Aunallah J, Boss JH (1991) Familial Caffey's disease and late recurrence in a child. Clin Genet 40: 329–335

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Blank E (1975) Recurrent Caffey's cortical hyperostosis and persistent deformity. Pediatrics 55: 856–860

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Newberg AH, Tampas JP (1981) Familial infantile cortical hyperostosis: an update. AJR 137: 93–96

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Saul RA, Lee WH, Stevenson RE (1982) Caffey's disease revisited: further evidence for autosomal dominant inheritance with incomplete penetrance. Am J Dis Child 136: 56–60

    Google Scholar 

  7. Blasier RB, Aronson DD (1985) Infantile cortical hyperostosis with osteomyelitis of the humerus. J Pediatr Orthop 5: 222–224

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Wilson AK (1969) Infantile cortical hyperostosis: review of literature and report of a case without mandibular involvement. Clin Orthop 62: 209–217

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Caffey J (1952) On some late skeletal changes in chronic infantile cortical hyperostosis. Radiology 59: 651–657

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Pazzaglia UE, Byers PD, Beluffi G, Chirico G, Rondini G, Ceciliani L (1985) Pathology of infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffey's disease). Report of a case. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 67: 1417–1426

    Google Scholar 

  11. Sherman NS, Hellyer DT (1950) Infantile cortical hyperostosis: review of literature and report of five cases. AJR 63: 212–222

    Google Scholar 

  12. Erdmann WA, Tamburro F, Jayson HT, Weatherall PT, Bond Ferry F, Peshock RM (1991) Osteomyelitis: characteristics and pitfalls of diagnosis with MR imaging. Radiology 180: 533–539

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sanders, D.G.M., Weijers, R.E. MRI findings in Caffey's disease. Pediatr Radiol 24, 325–327 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02012117

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02012117

Keywords

Navigation