Bone island

Changed by Euan Zhang, 11 May 2018

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An enostosis (pl. enostoses, also known as a "bone island") is a common benign bone lesion, usually seen as an incidental finding. They constitute a small focus of compact bone within cancellous bone. Enostoses can be seen on radiographs, CT, and MRI, and are considered one of the skeletal “don’t touch” lesions.

Pathology

Enostoses are likely congenital or developmental, and are thought to represent either hamartomatous lesions or failure of osteoclastic activity during bone remodelling 1.

Location

Bone islands may occur anywhere in the skeleton, although there is some predilection for pelvis, long bones, spine and ribs.

Associations

Radiology

Plain radiograph / CT

Enostoses are commonly seen as small round or oval foci of dense bone within the medullary space. The appearance of radiating spicules - "thorny radiation" or "fingers" - at the margins that blend with the surrounding trabeculae is classic.  

In diaphyseal bone, the long axis of a bone island typically parallels the long axis of the involved bone. In the metaphysis, and other regions where trabeculation is not as linearly organised, the bone islands are typically more spherical.

The size of a bone island is typically <1 cm, although large bone islands may occur, particularly in the pelvis, and have been termed "giant bone islands"34. Sometimes a slow increase in size is seen in bone islands over time.

Using a cutoff of > 885 HU, bone islands can be diagnosed with an AUC accuracy of 98% (95% sensitivity, and 96% specificity). 2

MRI

Low signal intensity on all sequences (compatible with compact bone).

Nuclear medicine

There is usually no Tc99-MDP uptake, and a normal bone scan can exclude an osteoblastic metastasis or osteosarcoma. However, low-grade scintigraphic activity has sometimes been reported in histologically proven enostoses 23.

Differential diagnosis

In the vast majority of cases, bone islands have a pathognomonic appearance. Larger lesions may sometimes pose a diagnostic dilemma, particularly in the setting of known malignancy.  

Imaging differential considerations include:

Management

Consider biopsy if the lesion grows 50% in one year or 25% in six years. 6

See also

  • -<a href="/articles/osteopoikilosis-2">osteopoikilosis</a>: multiple bone islands</li></ul><h4>Radiology</h4><h5>Plain radiograph / CT</h5><p>Enostoses are commonly seen as small round or oval foci of dense bone within the medullary space. The appearance of radiating spicules - "thorny radiation" or "fingers" - at the margins that blend with the surrounding trabeculae is classic.  </p><p>In diaphyseal bone, the long axis of a bone island typically parallels the long axis of the involved bone. In the metaphysis, and other regions where trabeculation is not as linearly organised, the bone islands are typically more spherical.</p><p>The size of a bone island is typically &lt;1 cm, although large bone islands may occur, particularly in the pelvis, and have been termed "<a href="/articles/giant-bone-islands">giant bone islands</a>" <sup>3</sup>. Sometimes a slow increase in size is seen in bone islands over time.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Low signal intensity on all sequences (compatible with compact bone).</p><h5>Nuclear medicine</h5><p>There is usually no Tc<sup>99</sup>-MDP uptake, and a normal bone scan can exclude an osteoblastic <a href="/articles/skeletal-metastasis-1">metastasis</a> or <a href="/articles/osteosarcoma">osteosarcoma</a>. However, low-grade scintigraphic activity has sometimes been reported in histologically proven enostoses <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>In the vast majority of cases, bone islands have a pathognomonic appearance. Larger lesions may sometimes pose a diagnostic dilemma, particularly in the setting of known malignancy.  </p><p>Imaging differential considerations include:</p><ul>
  • +<a href="/articles/osteopoikilosis-2">osteopoikilosis</a>: multiple bone islands</li></ul><h4>Radiology</h4><h5>Plain radiograph / CT</h5><p>Enostoses are commonly seen as small round or oval foci of dense bone within the medullary space. The appearance of radiating spicules - "thorny radiation" or "fingers" - at the margins that blend with the surrounding trabeculae is classic.  </p><p>In diaphyseal bone, the long axis of a bone island typically parallels the long axis of the involved bone. In the metaphysis, and other regions where trabeculation is not as linearly organised, the bone islands are typically more spherical.</p><p>The size of a bone island is typically &lt;1 cm, although large bone islands may occur, particularly in the pelvis, and have been termed "<a href="/articles/giant-bone-islands">giant bone islands</a>" <sup>4</sup>. Sometimes a slow increase in size is seen in bone islands over time.</p><p>Using a cutoff of &gt; 885 HU, bone islands can be diagnosed with an AUC accuracy of 98% (95% sensitivity, and 96% specificity). <sup>2</sup></p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Low signal intensity on all sequences (compatible with compact bone).</p><h5>Nuclear medicine</h5><p>There is usually no Tc<sup>99</sup>-MDP uptake, and a normal bone scan can exclude an osteoblastic <a href="/articles/skeletal-metastasis-1">metastasis</a> or <a href="/articles/osteosarcoma">osteosarcoma</a>. However, low-grade scintigraphic activity has sometimes been reported in histologically proven enostoses <sup>3</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>In the vast majority of cases, bone islands have a pathognomonic appearance. Larger lesions may sometimes pose a diagnostic dilemma, particularly in the setting of known malignancy.  </p><p>Imaging differential considerations include:</p><ul>
  • -</ul><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/solitary-sclerotic-bone-lesion">solitary sclerotic bone lesion</a></li></ul>
  • +</ul><h4>Management</h4><p>Consider biopsy if the lesion grows 50% in one year or 25% in six years. <sup>6</sup></p><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/solitary-sclerotic-bone-lesion">solitary sclerotic bone lesion</a></li></ul>

References changed:

  • 5. The Brant and Helms Solution: Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology, Third Edition, Plus Integrated Content Website. (2006) ISBN: 0781761352 - <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0781761352">Google Books</a>
  • 5. The Brant and Helms Solution: Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology, Third Edition, Plus Integrated Content Website. (2006) ISBN: 0781761352 - <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0781761352">Google Books</a>
  • 5. The Brant and Helms Solution: Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology, Third Edition, Plus Integrated Content Website. (2006) ISBN: 0781761352 - <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0781761352">Google Books</a>
  • 2. Ulano A, Bredella M, Burke P et al. Distinguishing Untreated Osteoblastic Metastases From Enostoses Using CT Attenuation Measurements. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2016;207(2):362-8. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.15.15559">doi:10.2214/AJR.15.15559</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27101076">Pubmed</a>
  • 3. Greenspan A & Stadalnik R. Bone Island: Scintigraphic Findings and Their Clinical Application. Can Assoc Radiol J. 1995;46(5):368-79. - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7552829">Pubmed</a>
  • 4. Greenspan A, Steiner G, Knutzon R. Bone Island (Enostosis): Clinical Significance and Radiologic and Pathologic Correlations. Skeletal Radiol. 1991;20(2):85-90. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00193816">doi:10.1007/BF00193816</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1902324">Pubmed</a>
  • 6. B. J. Manaster, David A. May, David G. Disler. Musculoskeletal Imaging. (2007) ISBN: 0323043615 - <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0323043615">Google Books</a>
  • 5. Greenspan A, Steiner G, Knutzon R. Bone island (enostosis): clinical significance and radiologic and pathologic correlations. Skeletal Radiol 1991; 20:85–90
  • 5. Greenspan A, Steiner G, Knutzon R. Bone island (enostosis): clinical significance and radiologic and pathologic correlations. Skeletal Radiol 1991; 20:85–90. - <a href="http://https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1902324">Pubmed citation</a><div class="ref_v2"></div>
  • 2. Greenspan A, Stadalnik RC. Bone island: scintigraphic findings and their clinical application. Can Assoc Radiol J. 1995;46 (5): 368-79. - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7552829">Pubmed citation</a><div class="ref_v2"></div>
  • 3. Manaster BJ, May DA, Disler DG. Musculoskeletal imaging. Mosby Inc. (2007) ISBN:0323043615. <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0323043615">Read it at Google Books</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0323043615?ie=UTF8&tag=radiopaediaor-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0323043615">Find it at Amazon</a><div class="ref_v2"></div>
  • 4. Brant WE, Helms CA. Fundamentals of diagnostic radiology. Lippincott Williams &amp; Wilkins. (2007) ISBN:0781761352. <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0781761352">Read it at Google Books</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0781761352?ie=UTF8&tag=radiopaediaor-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0781761352">Find it at Amazon</a><div class="ref_v2"></div>

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