Acro-osteolysis

Last revised by Rohit Sharma on 9 Jan 2023

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 PINCH FO.

Terminology

There are two main radiological variants of acro-osteolysis 17:

  • longitudinal type: terminal tuft resorption

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

These variants may coexist 17.

Pathology

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

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Cases and figures

  • Case 1: hyperparathyroidism
    Drag here to reorder.
  • Case 2: unknown
    Drag here to reorder.
  • Case 3: psoriatic arthritis
    Drag here to reorder.
  • Case 4: scleroderma
    Drag here to reorder.
  • Case 5: unknown
    Drag here to reorder.
  • Case 6: scleroderma
    Drag here to reorder.
  • Case 7: scleroderma
    Drag here to reorder.
  • Case 8: hyperparathyroidism
    Drag here to reorder.
  • Case 9: skeletal sarcoidosis
    Drag here to reorder.
  • Case 10: hyperparathyroidism
    Drag here to reorder.
  • Case 11: hyperparathyroidism from ESRF
    Drag here to reorder.
  • Updating… Please wait.

     Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

     Thank you for updating your details.