Acro-osteolysis

Last revised by Ciléin Kearns on 13 Oct 2024

Acro-osteolysis (plural: acro-osteolyses), also known as phalangeal osteolysis, refers to resorption of the distal phalanx. The terminal tuft is most commonly affected. It is associated with a heterogeneous group of pathological entities, some of which can be remembered by the mnemonic CHOP FINger.

Terminology

There are two main radiological variants of acro-osteolysis, which may coexist 17:

  • longitudinal type: terminal tuft resorption

  • transverse type: linear bone resorption of the midshaft of the distal phalanx: band acro-osteolysis

Pathology

Multiple digits
Terminal tuft resorption
Midshaft resorption (band acro-osteolysis)
Single digit 

Cases and figures

  • Case 1: hyperparathyroidism
  • Case 2: unknown
  • Case 3: psoriatic arthritis
  • Case 4: scleroderma
  • Case 5: unknown
  • Case 6: scleroderma
  • Case 7: scleroderma
  • Case 8: hyperparathyroidism
  • Case 9: skeletal sarcoidosis
  • Case 10: hyperparathyroidism
  • Case 11: hyperparathyroidism from ESRF
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