Os sustentaculi

Changed by Joachim Feger, 28 Dec 2021

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

The os sustentaculi or os sustentaculum is a rare accessory ossicle of the ankle and a normal anatomical variant.

Epidemiology

The estimated prevalence is approximately 0.3-0.4% 1.

Associations

It has been found in up 24% of talocalcaneal coalitions 2.

Gross anatomy

The os sustentaculi is usually found at the posterior aspect of the sustentaculum tali and is connected to the latter by a fibrous or fibrocartilaginous synchondrosis 3,4.

Variant anatomy

A bony bridge between the posterior aspect of the sustentaculum and the talus has been suggested as a variant of the os sustentaculi.

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

The os sustentaculi can be best visualised on an AP view of the ankle with a slight amount of external rotation 4.

CT

The os sustentaculi can be nicely visualised on CT and might demonstrate degenerative changes such as irregular or hypertrophic cortical contours, subchondral cysts or vacuum phenomenon 3.

MRI

On MRI of the ankle, the os sustentaculi can be visualised as a separated bony structure from the sustentaculum.

Degenerative changes of the synchondrosis with contour irregularities, sclerosis, and cyst formation might occur. Bone marrow oedema might be present if the patient experiences symptoms and pain 1-3.

History and etymology

The os sustentaculi was first reported by the German anatomist Wilhelm Pfitzner in 1896 2-6.

Clinical importance

An os sustentaculi can cause pain, e.g. as a result of overuse, and might be mistaken for a sustentaculum fracture, an unusual exostosis or os calcanei secundarium 1-5.

Related pathology

The os sustentaculi has been related to an extra-articular talocalcaneal coalition (see Case 1) and can cause pain in the setting of overuse 1,2.

  • -<p>The <strong>os sustentaculi </strong>or<strong> os sustentaculum</strong> is a rare <a href="/articles/accessory-ossicles-of-the-foot">accessory ossicle</a> of the ankle and a <a href="/articles/anatomical-variants">normal anatomical variant</a>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>The estimated prevalence is approximately 0.3-0.4% <sup>1</sup>.</p><h5>Associations</h5><p>It has been found in up 24% of <a href="/articles/talocalcaneal-coalition">talocalcaneal coalitions</a> <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The os sustentaculi is usually found at the posterior aspect of the <a href="/articles/sustentaculum-tali">sustentaculum tali</a> and is connected to the latter by a fibrous or fibrocartilaginous synchondrosis <sup>3,4</sup>.</p><h4>Variant anatomy</h4><p>A bony bridge between the posterior aspect of the sustentaculum and the <a href="/articles/talus">talus</a> has been suggested as a variant of the os sustentaculi.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>The os sustentaculi can be best visualised on an <a href="/articles/ankle-ap-view-1">AP view of the ankle</a> with a slight amount of external rotation <sup>4</sup>.</p><h5>CT</h5><p>The os sustentaculi can be nicely visualised on CT and might demonstrate degenerative changes such as irregular or hypertrophic cortical contours, <a href="/articles/geode">subchondral cysts</a> or <a href="/articles/vacuum-phenomenon-2">vacuum phenomenon</a> <sup>3</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>On <a href="/articles/mri-of-the-ankle-an-approach">MRI of the ankle</a>, the os sustentaculi can be visualised as a separated bony structure from the sustentaculum.</p><p>Degenerative changes of the synchondrosis with contour irregularities, sclerosis, and cyst formation might occur. <a href="/articles/bone-marrow-oedema">Bone marrow oedema</a> might be present if the patient experiences symptoms and pain <sup>1-3</sup>.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>The os sustentaculi was first reported by the German anatomist <strong>Wilhelm Pfitzner</strong> in 1896 <sup>2-6</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical importance</h4><p>An os sustentaculi can cause pain, e.g. as a result of overuse, and might be mistaken for a sustentaculum fracture, an unusual <a href="/articles/exostosis">exostosis</a> or an <a href="/articles/os-calcaneus-secundarius-1">os calcanei secundarium</a> <sup>1-5</sup>.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>The os sustentaculi has been related to an extra-articular talocalcaneal coalition (see Case 1) and can cause pain in the setting of overuse <sup>1,2</sup>.</p>
  • +<p>The <strong>os sustentaculi </strong>or<strong> os sustentaculum</strong> is a rare <a href="/articles/accessory-ossicles-of-the-foot">accessory ossicle</a> of the <a title="Ankle joint" href="/articles/ankle-joint-2">ankle</a> and a <a href="/articles/anatomical-variants">normal anatomical variant</a>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>The estimated prevalence is approximately 0.3-0.4% <sup>1</sup>.</p><h5>Associations</h5><p>It has been found in up 24% of <a href="/articles/talocalcaneal-coalition">talocalcaneal coalitions</a> <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The os sustentaculi is usually found at the posterior aspect of the <a href="/articles/sustentaculum-tali">sustentaculum tali</a> and is connected to the latter by a fibrous or fibrocartilaginous synchondrosis <sup>3,4</sup>.</p><h4>Variant anatomy</h4><p>A bony bridge between the posterior aspect of the sustentaculum and the <a href="/articles/talus">talus</a> has been suggested as a variant of the os sustentaculi.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>The os sustentaculi can be best visualised on an <a href="/articles/ankle-ap-view-1">AP view of the ankle</a> with a slight amount of external rotation <sup>4</sup>.</p><h5>CT</h5><p>The os sustentaculi can be nicely visualised on CT and might demonstrate degenerative changes such as irregular or hypertrophic cortical contours, <a href="/articles/geode">subchondral cysts</a> or <a href="/articles/vacuum-phenomenon-2">vacuum phenomenon</a> <sup>3</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>On <a href="/articles/mri-of-the-ankle-an-approach">MRI of the ankle</a>, the os sustentaculi can be visualised as a separated bony structure from the sustentaculum.</p><p>Degenerative changes of the synchondrosis with contour irregularities, sclerosis, and cyst formation might occur. <a href="/articles/bone-marrow-oedema">Bone marrow oedema</a> might be present if the patient experiences symptoms and pain <sup>1-3</sup>.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>The os sustentaculi was first reported by the German anatomist <strong>Wilhelm Pfitzner</strong> in 1896 <sup>2-6</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical importance</h4><p>An os sustentaculi can cause pain, e.g. as a result of overuse, and might be mistaken for a sustentaculum fracture, an unusual <a href="/articles/exostosis">exostosis</a> or <a title="Os calcanei secundarium" href="/articles/os-calcaneus-secundarius-1">os calcanei secundarium</a> <sup>1-5</sup>.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>The os sustentaculi has been related to an extra-articular talocalcaneal coalition (see Case 1) and can cause pain in the setting of overuse <sup>1,2</sup>.</p>

References changed:

  • 1. Aparisi Gómez M, Aparisi F, Bartoloni A et al. Anatomical Variation in the Ankle and Foot: From Incidental Finding to Inductor of Pathology. Part I: Ankle and Hindfoot. Insights Imaging. 2019;10(1):74. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-019-0746-2">doi:10.1186/s13244-019-0746-2</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31363861">Pubmed</a>
  • 2. Yun S, Jin W, Kim G et al. A Different Type of Talocalcaneal Coalition With Os Sustentaculum: The Continued Necessity of Revision of Classification. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2015;205(6):W612-8. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.14.14082">doi:10.2214/ajr.14.14082</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26587950">Pubmed</a>
  • 3. Mellado J, Salvadó E, Camins A, Ramos A, Saurí A. Painful Os Sustentaculi: Imaging Findings of Another Symptomatic Skeletal Variant. Skeletal Radiol. 2001;31(1):53-6. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s002560100431">doi:10.1007/s002560100431</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11807596">Pubmed</a>
  • 4. Bencardino J, Rosenberg Z, Beltran J, Sheskier S. Os Sustentaculi: Depiction on MR Images. Skeletal Radiol. 1997;26(8):505-6. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s002560050275">doi:10.1007/s002560050275</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9297758">Pubmed</a>
  • 5. Bloom R, Libson E, Lax E, Pogrund H. The Assimilated Os Sustentaculi. Skeletal Radiol. 1986;15(6):455-7. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00355105">doi:10.1007/bf00355105</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3764473">Pubmed</a>
  • 7. Keles-Celik N, Kose O, Sekerci R, Aytac G, Turan A, Güler F. Accessory Ossicles of the Foot and Ankle: Disorders and a Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2017;9(11):e1881. <a href="https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.1881">doi:10.7759/cureus.1881</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29387510">Pubmed</a>
  • 1. Aparisi Gómez M, Aparisi F, Bartoloni A et al. Anatomical Variation in the Ankle and Foot: From Incidental Finding to Inductor of Pathology. Part I: Ankle and Hindfoot. Insights Imaging. 2019;10(1):74. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-019-0746-2">doi:10.1186/s13244-019-0746-2</a>
  • 2. Yun S, Jin W, Kim G et al. A Different Type of Talocalcaneal Coalition With Os Sustentaculum: The Continued Necessity of Revision of Classification. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2015;205(6):W612-8. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.14.14082">doi:10.2214/AJR.14.14082</a>
  • 3. Mellado J, Salvadó E, Camins A, Ramos A, Saurí A. Painful Os Sustentaculi: Imaging Findings of Another Symptomatic Skeletal Variant. Skeletal Radiol. 2002;31(1):53-6. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s002560100431">doi:10.1007/s002560100431</a>
  • 4. Bencardino J, Rosenberg Z, Beltran J, Sheskier S. Os Sustentaculi: Depiction on MR Images. Skeletal Radiol. 1997;26(8):505-6. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s002560050275">doi:10.1007/s002560050275</a>
  • 5. Bloom R, Libson E, Lax E, Pogrund H. The Assimilated Os Sustentaculi. Skeletal Radiol. 1986;15(6):455-7. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00355105">doi:10.1007/BF00355105</a>
  • 7. Keles-Celik N, Kose O, Sekerci R, Aytac G, Turan A, Güler F. Accessory Ossicles of the Foot and Ankle: Disorders and a Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2017;9(11):e1881. <a href="https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.1881">doi:10.7759/cureus.1881</a>

Tags changed:

  • foot
  • variants

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads