Meyer dysplasia (also known as dysplasia epiphysealis capitis femoris) is a fragmentation and delayed ossification of the femoral capital epiphyses that affects the pediatric hips. It is considered more of a normal hip developmental variation rather than a true dysplasia. It can be bilateral in ~50% of cases 3.
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Epidemiology
It tends to present at around 2-3 years of age 2. There is a recognized male predilection 3.
Clinical presentation
Patients are usually asymptomatic.
Pathology
There is a delay in development of the nucleus of ossification in the hip which does not occur until ~1.5 years of age. The epiphysis does not collapse and density and structure remain preserved. It usually resolves spontaneously later in childhood.
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
- the affected epiphysis is smaller in size
- there are often multiple nuclei of ossification, giving the epiphysis a "morulated" appearance; these then tend to fuse at ~5 years of age.
History and etymology
First described by J Meyer in 1964 4.
Differential diagnosis
On imaging consider
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